Despite the strained relations, Britain's royal household extends heartfelt wishes to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday.
A post was published on X and Instagram with the caption: "Here's wishing The Duke of Sussex a fantastic 40th birthday today!" It included an image of Harry sporting a smile and a birthday cake emoji.
Exactly an hour later, the post was shared by Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who added their own message: "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!"
The outpouring of good wishes from the public might come as a surprise given Harry's strained relationship with his brother and the challenges in his relationship with his father, King Charles III.
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Ever since leaving the UK as working members of the British monarchy in 2020, Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have experienced tension, particularly over Harry's book 'Spare' that contained revelations such as Harry labeling William as his "arch-nemesis" and alleging an attack.
Interaction between Harry and senior royals has been minimal: Harry paid a short visit to Charles following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, but their meeting only lasted 45 minutes. He also briefly returned to London to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, but he didn't cross paths with any Windsors during his visit.
For his 40th birthday, Harry is reportedly celebrating with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their children, Archie and Lilibet. Following his birthday, he's also said to be embarking on a trip with close friends.
In a statement to BBC, Harry expressed excitement about turning 40, contrasting his feelings of anxiety at turning 30. He went on to state: "However old you are, my goal is to continue engaging and contributing positively to the world."
Harry also spoke about how fatherhood has impacted him, saying: "Being a father is one of life's greatest blessings and has only strengthened my determination and commitment to making the world a better place."
Despite the tensions between Harry and some members of the royal family, the United Kingdom saw an outpouring of birthday wishes for The Duke of Sussex from the public. The Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, joined in the celebrations by sharing a post on social media.
