Prince Harry didn’t seek royal family’s 40th birthday message

Prince Harry’s 40th birthday well-wishes from the royal family were not a result of him refraining from sharing new revelations about the Firm, sources reveal. The Duke of Sussex received birthday greetings on social media from the royals after three years of silence, amidst ongoing tensions across the Atlantic.

Contrary to reports suggesting the birthday message was a “reward” for Prince Harry’s discretion, a source clarifies that his actions were not influenced by such motivations.

According to an insider, Prince Harry has shared his story and is now focused on moving forward, with his priorities shifting as he enters a new chapter in his life. He acknowledges the past as a source of inspiration for his future endeavors, which include important work for himself and the world.

Another source reveals that Prince Harry’s focus is on being a great father, a loving husband, and driving the success of his various initiatives. If this shift in focus has helped improve relations with his estranged family, it may have been seen as a positive outcome.

However, for the royal family, the birthday message may have been seen as a form of reciprocity. Royal reporter Richard Eden mentioned on a podcast that the message could be viewed as a thank you for not sharing new revelations in his book “Spare” or giving interviews to promote it.

Relations between Prince Harry and the royal family have been strained since he and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior working members in 2020. Despite their controversial actions and statements, there have been hints of a potential reconciliation between the Sussexes and the Firm.

Aside from social media shout-outs, Prince Harry was expected to receive birthday calls from his father, King Charles, and his sister-in-law, Princess Catherine. However, his brother, Prince William, was not anticipated to make a call.

While the future of Windsor family relationships remains uncertain, Prince Harry remains focused on his philanthropic work. He is scheduled to speak at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting in New York and attend the 2024 WellChild Awards in the UK.