The British royal family's customary birthday greetings on social media were notably absent on September 15, the day Prince Harry celebrated his 39th year. The Duke of Sussex, who was in Germany for the 2023 Invictus Games, marked the occasion alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. However, the usual channels of royal felicitations remained silent.
Traditionally, members of the royal family extend their birthday wishes through their respective social media platforms. Prince William and Kate Middleton, known officially as The Prince and Princess of Wales, typically convey their greetings via their Twitter account. Similarly, King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been known to send their best wishes through the Clarence House page, which has now transitioned to The Royal Family account.
Yet, this year, Prince Harry's birthday went unacknowledged. Kensington Palace, the office of Prince William and Kate, refrained from any posts on that day. Instead, their most recent tweet, dated September 17, highlighted the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City. Prior to that, on September 14, they shared images from their visit to Hereford, emphasizing the importance of mental health in rural communities.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla also bypassed the occasion. Their focus was on a video showcasing His Majesty dancing with seniors during a visit to the Jewish Arts, Culture & Community Centre in London.
It's worth noting that Prince Harry's 38th birthday last year was a somber affair, as the royal family was in mourning following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her funeral took place on September 19. However, Meghan Markle's 41st birthday did receive public acknowledgment from the royals.
The absence of birthday wishes for both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this year raises questions. The royal family did extend their greetings to Princess Anne on her 73rd birthday and to Prince William and Kate Middleton. According to sources like Hello! magazine, the reason behind this change is straightforward: The Firm has decided not to send public birthday greetings to non-working members of the royal family.
It's been three years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties. Despite the silence from the royal family, Prince Harry was enveloped in warmth and affection by the Invictus Games community. On Day 7 of the games in Dusseldorf, he was presented with cakes and cards. The crowd even serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" during a volleyball match between Poland and Germany at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
On the eve of his birthday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoyed a pre-birthday dinner with some members of their Archewell team at "Im Goldenen Kessel," which translates to "In the Golden Cauldron." Thea Ungermann, the owner of the restaurant, which is part of the Brauerei Schumacher, mentioned that the couple seemed at ease, enjoying their time and sipping on Schumacher Alt beer.
