Meghan Markle snubbed in Prince Harry birthday tribute shared by royal family

An image shared by the royal family to mark Prince Harry’s 40th birthday has caused a storm amid claims Meghan Markle was cropped out.

Buckingham Palace did not deliberately crop Meghan Markle out of a photograph used to mark Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, it has emerged.

Speculation that Meghan had been removed from the image mounted after the royal family shared an image of a smiling Prince Harry during the Sussexes’ 2018 visit to Dublin.

Eyebrows were raised among fans of the Sussexes with some claiming Meghan had been cropped out of the image, which was taken at the Dogpatch startup hub.

However, image archives have since revealed that two versions of the photo, taken by Jimmy Rainford, were issued at the time in 2018, the Daily Mail reports.

One of the versions was of a solo Prince Harry, while the wider version of the same image showed the royal and Meghan chatting with other people at the startup hub.

The image showing Prince Harry on his own at the Dopatch startup hub in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

The original picture was a wider shot that showed Prince Harry with Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Dogpatch startup hub in Dublin together. Picture: Nick Bradshaw/AFP

The royal family’s official X account shared the photo but showed the solo image of Prince Harry rather than the one including Meghan.

“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” the message read.

Prince Harry’s estranged family had not made public statements about his birthday since Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022.

They did not acknowledge Meghan on her birthday, which was on August 4.

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

However, the source claimed that Harry wouldn’t hear from his estranged older brother, Prince William.

Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were side by side during their visit of the Dogpatch startup hub in Dublin in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

‘BROTHER’: HARRY’S POLO BESTIE POSTS MOVING MESSAGE

Prince Harry’s polo-playing bestie also got in on the birthday love, posting a heartfelt Instagram message.

Nacho Figueras shared an image of the pair alongside a caption in which he called the royal his “brother”.

“Happy 40th brother,” Figueras wrote. “From the polo fields to all the moments in between, I’m grateful for the bond we share.

“Here’s to many more laughs, memories, and good times ahead. Love you.”

One commented: “Thank you for being Harry’s brother of the heart!”

Nacho Figueras posted a happy snap of himself and Prince Harry for the royal's 40th birthday. Picture: Instagram/nachofigueras

Some royal fans were quick to point out the polo player’s touching use of the word brother, considering Prince Harry’s estrangement from his own elder brother, Prince William.

A third wrote: “Brothers are not always related by blood. Thank you for supporting Prince Harry and being a true brother and friend.”

Figueras and his wife are longtime friends and staunch supporters of the Sussexes.

Polo will be the subject of Prince Harry’s new Netflix series, which will premiere in December.

HARRY, MEGHAN’S DAY OUT AT TENNIS

Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s birthday weekend celebrations in the United States were revealed by The Sun, after the royal spent the day at the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday with Meghan.

The event was in honour of Kelly McKee Zajfen and Julian Zajfen’s late son George who tragically passed away a couple of years ago.

Meghan is good friends with Kelly who thanked the Sussexes for their support in an Instagram post.

She wrote: “Harry and Meghan, you have been such a guiding light for our family not just in the way you have shown up in friendship but how you have shown up through the incredible work the Archewell Foundation does every day.

“I’m in awe of your commitment to community and to friendship. On behalf of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, we thank you.

“On behalf of our family, we love you.”

McKee Zajfen added: “Extra special day too … HAPPY 40th Birthday H! May this trip around the sun be the best yet.”

Meghan wore a textured beige button-up mini dress while Harry sported a white T-shirt, blazer and jeans.

The Duke celebrated his milestone birthday on 15 September at the couple’s family home with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and then left his wife and kids to go on a “weekend getaway” with a few close friends, sources told The Sun.