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Royal Family sends Prince Harry public happy birthday message

The royal family has surprised the world by sending Prince Harry a birthday message for the first time in three years.

Royal Family wishes Harry a happy 40th birthday

The Royal Family sent Prince Harry a birthday message for the first time in three years as the estranged Duke celebrates his 40th birthday on Sunday.

“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” the Royal Family’s official X account posted.

The well-wishes were accompanied by a photo of Harry at DogPatch Labs during his visit to Dublin, Ireland in July 2018 when he was still a working royal, The New York Post reported.

The birthday message comes after the family made no public statements about Harry’s birthday since Queen Elizabeth died in Sept. 2022.

At 40, is Prince Harry still guided by Diana's legacy?

The family didn’t publicly wish King Charles’ second son a happy birthday last year as part of a new protocol implemented when he took the throne.

At the time, the new monarch had limited social media posts to just highlighting working members of the royal family.

The account did not acknowledge Harry’s wife Meghan Markle for her birthday on Aug. 4.

Harry is also expected to receive phone calls from some of his family members.

“Harry will hear from his family,” a palace source exclusively told The Post. “It’s very likely that Charles and Kate will likely phone Harry to wish him well on his birthday.”

The Royal Family has sent a birthday message to Prince Harry. Picture: X
The Royal Family has sent a birthday message to Prince Harry. Picture: X
They didn’t publicly wish King Charles’ second son a happy birthday last year due to a new protocol implemented when he took the throne. Picture: Ben Stansall WPA Pool/Getty Images
They didn’t publicly wish King Charles’ second son a happy birthday last year due to a new protocol implemented when he took the throne. Picture: Ben Stansall WPA Pool/Getty Images

While he will likely talk to his father and sister-in-law, Harry will not be conversing with his older brother, Prince William.

The Prince of Wales, 42, most likely won’t reach out to Harry “given everything that has gone on”.

Harry and Prince William came face-to-face at the funeral service of their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes on Aug. 28.

Prince Harry will not be conversing with his older brother, Prince William. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry will not be conversing with his older brother, Prince William. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

An insider told The Post that Prince Harry went to the funeral “in a personal capacity,” adding that his trip was not extended. He flew in for the service and left shortly after, the source explained.

Harry is expected to celebrate this year’s milestone birthday with a massive $12 million cash bonus, thanks to arrangements made by his late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

To celebrate Harry’s special day, Markle is organising a star-studded bash in Montecito.

Following his birthday festivities Harry will travel to NYC where he will “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives”.

His Big Apple trip coincides with the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week.

This story originally appeared on The New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as Royal Family sends Prince Harry public happy birthday message

Read related topics:Prince HarryQueen Elizabeth

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/royal-family-sends-prince-harry-public-happy-birthday-message/news-story/6e1e2e3880ea566fc92a5b94c9b7892e