Prince Harry’s fresh hope for ‘reconciliation’ with King Charles dampened by one warning
After sending Prince Harry birthday wishes when he turned 40, a royal insider has said Prince Harry and King Charles are open to reconciliation but issued a warning about any potential mending of their fragile bond
King Charles’ public 40th birthday wishes for his estranged son Prince Harry have suggested a thaw in their frosty relations.
After two years of birthday snubs, the official Royal Family social media accounts shared a snap of Harry smiling along with an emoji of a cake and said: “Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday.” It is the f irst time it has shared a public message for Harry since his 2021 birthday.
It was quickly followed by wishes from Harry’s estranged brother Prince William and his wife Kate, who also shared the same post. To many, it has been seen as an olive branch by the royals, especially as both Charles and William have been at loggerheads with Harry since he railed against them in his controversial Netflix series and his bombshell book, Spare.
And now a royal insider has said when it comes to Harry and his father, b oth are keen to get their relationship back on track, but they issued a warning. They explained: “Much has been said over the fractured nature of the Duke’s relationship with his family and much of his own doing. He is open to reconciliation as is the King.
“The King’s health, his upcoming autumn tour to Australia and the next chapter of his reign are his main focus, but there is always room to improve relations with his son. Whether other family members follow suit is another matter.” But sources warned it could be a long road before relationships between Harry and Meghan and the royals are properly mended.
Many saw the posts as a surprise move given the unresolved tensions between Harry and his family, which have shown no sign of abating. But a ccording to royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward, there was a big reason for the messages.
She told the Mirror : “King Charles would have celebrated his son’s 40th from a distance. Milestone birthdays are important to the royals. Whatever upsets Harry has caused would have been forgotten for the day.
“Even Prince William wished his brother Happy Birthday – even if it was through clenched teeth. He doesn’t trust him, but together with his family, he wished him the best on his milestone birthday.”
Harry was said to be spending his big day with his wife Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet before embarking on a ‘lads getaway’ to celebrate the milestone. They were also spotted attending a charity tennis tournament and a birthday party for their pal Tyler Perry at the weekend.
