Prince William sent birthday wishes to his younger brother, Prince Harry, as he celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday.
Despite their strained relationship, the Prince of Wales acknowledged the milestone with a public message.
The rift between Harry and his family has deepened since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their royal duties and relocated to California in 2020.
Once close, William and Harry have reportedly not spoken in two years, as reported by British media. Their bond, which grew stronger after the tragic death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, has since weakened.
On the official X account shared by William and his wife, Catherine, the message read: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!” referencing Harry by his royal title.
The post echoed a similar message from the royal family’s X account, which also wished Harry a happy birthday with a photo of him smiling, accompanied by a birthday cake emoji.
UK media highlighted that this was the first public birthday greeting for Harry from the royal family since 2021.
Despite the ongoing family tensions, Harry expressed optimism about turning 40.
In a statement to the BBC on Friday, he shared his excitement for this new chapter, contrasting his feelings with those he had when turning 30.
“I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” Harry remarked, attributing his positive outlook to becoming a father.
He added, “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys, and it has only fueled my determination to contribute to making the world a better place.”
The brothers last appeared together at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, but have maintained a noticeable distance at key royal events since, including the coronation of their father, King Charles III, in May 2023.
