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Yesterday’s display of warmth will be seen as an olive branch from the King after the feud sparked by his Harry’s 2021 interview with US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, experts say
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For the first time in three years, the Royal Family acknowledged Prince Harry’s birthday on their official social media platforms, a courtesy extended to all working royals but which came as something of a surprise given the Duke of Sussex’s estrangement from The Firm.
In what could be seen as a strategic peace offering, the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales publicly extended birthday wishes to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday yesterday. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace took to their social media platforms within hours of each other, as the Duke of Sussex geared up for celebrations in California.
The chosen image of Harry, captured during his tenure as a working Royal in 2018, was taken during a visit to a Dublin start-up with Meghan by his side. However, she was noticeably absent from the frame, seemingly cropped out by the original photographer at the time.
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It was reported the palace emphasised behind the scenes that this was merely following ‘tradition’, where public birthday wishes are extended on ‘significant’ birthdays even for non-working royals. Both Meghan and Andrew, the Duke of York, have had their milestone birthdays celebrated in this manner in recent years – her 40th and his 60th – despite their individual issues with the Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace was the first to make a move, posting a jovial picture of Harry from his trip to Ireland post-wedding in 2018. The caption read: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” accompanied by a birthday cake emoji. The birthday post is the first mention of him in any capacity in two years.
Kensington Palace reposted the same image with a similar message two hours later. Both households likely felt the need to present a united front, given the speculation that would arise if one chose not to acknowledge the occasion.
The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English says: “It is likely that both would have felt the need to ‘sing from the same hymn sheet’ given the conjecture it would inevitably create if one household chose not to.”
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She added: “Anguishing over whether to simply wish someone a happy birthday seems ridiculous, but in terms of royal communications, these things matter. Millions pour over their social media posts and much rune-reading taken from each message.”
Rebecca believes “Charles will never completely close the door on his youngest son,” according to the Daily Mail.
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Former Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond said it was a surprise to learn William and Catherine had posted birthday wishes, saying: “I don’t think this almost insignificant gesture signals the start of a reconciliation, but it is an unexpected twist.”
Yesterday’s display of warmth will be seen as an olive branch from the King over their feud sparked by his son’s 2021 interview with US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.
