In what will surely come as a surprise to royal watchers, the Royal Family has wished Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, marking the first public message for him since 2021.
Since Harry stepped away from his royal duties alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, in 2020, relations between him and the Royal Family have remained frosty.
However, the icy relationship has shown signs of thawing after a birthday message was shared by the Royal Family on social media, featuring a picture of a smiling Harry and a birthday cake emoji.
“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” the Royal Family wrote.
Royal fans were both overjoyed and surprised by the Royal Family’s message for Harry, with many welcoming the warm wishes.
“There hasn’t been a post like this in years towards Harry. So nice to see!” one wrote.
“Thanks to the BRF for treating him this way despite all that he has done. It’s a magnanimous gesture from the BRF.”
“That’s very gracious of them, classy & kind.”
“Awe, so great to see this. Happy birthday, Harry! May your new year around the sun be filled with joy, exploration, understanding, and compassion,” commented another.
“Happy birthday Prince Harry. Whether you agree or disagree with all that he’s said and done, he is still our King’s son and his children the King’s grandchildren.”
Surprisingly, Prince William and Princess Catherine also extended birthday wishes to Prince Harry by sharing the Royal Family’s post on their social media channels. While these gestures have sparked hopes of reconciliation, royal commentator Michael Cole has suggested that royal fans should not get their hopes up just yet.
“The big surprise of today is that the Prince and Princess of Wales added their birthday good wishes to those of Buckingham Palace,” Cole told GB News.
“Now there’s been none of that for at least two years. So what should we read into that? Well, I would say it is definitely not an olive branch.
“I think the fragility, the coldness that exists will continue at the moment.”
Harry reportedly spent his milestone birthday with Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
He is then expected to head off for a gathering with close friends.
-with PA.