As Prince Harry approaches his milestone 40th birthday this Sunday, the Royal Family remains a subject of keen public interest, with speculation mounting over whether King Charles will acknowledge the occasion.
Harry, who is celebrating his birthday in California with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is set to host a high-profile birthday bash attended by A-list friends.
However, it seems unlikely that any member of the Royal Family will make the journey to the US for the festivities.
The Royal Family's approach to such occasions has shifted in recent years. Last year, Prince Harry's birthday passed without a social media tribute from the Royal Family, a trend that might continue given the recent changes in how the Royal Family handles public celebrations.
Under a new protocol introduced by the late Queen Elizabeth II, social media birthday tributes are now reserved for working members of the Royal Family and their immediate family members.
Since Harry and Meghan stepped down from their official roles, it has become less common for them to receive public birthday messages from the Royal Family.
This year, however, the situation has garnered additional interest due to King Charles’s recent health concerns. The monarch, who is battling cancer, personally informed Harry and his brother, Prince William, about his diagnosis earlier this year. In a notable gesture, Harry visited his father in the UK following the revelation.
This personal connection has led some royal watchers to speculate that the King might make an exception and publicly mark his son's significant birthday as a sign of respect and acknowledgment.
Despite these considerations, the prevailing sentiment is that the Royal Family will likely maintain their current stance, avoiding public mentions of the Sussexes on social media. Any decision not to send a birthday message might be interpreted as a deliberate snub, further complicating the already strained relationship between Harry and the rest of the family.
