Prince William shocked the world by making an unpredictable move on Sunday.
The heir to the throne and his wife, Kate Middleton, took to social media to wish Prince Harry a happy birthday.
Prince William and his spouse, Kate Middleton, posted on their Instagram Stories: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex.”
The birthday post was accompanied by a smiling photo of Prince Harry taken in 2018 during a royal engagement in the UK.
Prince Harry had a quiet celebration for his 40th birthday in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
It has been revealed that the former soldier will be taking a short trip to the mountains with some close friends. Markle will not accompany him.
The happy message from Prince William and Middleton is not what it seems. Prince William’s gesture was not spontaneous goodwill but a formal nod to tradition.
The Royal Family has a tradition of wishing non-working members a happy birthday when their age ends with a 0.
And if anyone had any doubts about Prince William’s position on his relationship with Prince Harry, he made it clear. Prince William did not follow in King Charles III‘s footsteps with a happy birthday phone call.
King Charles phoned his son early Sunday morning to share his good wishes. Prince William has no plans to speak to Prince Harry.
An insider told The Daily Mail: “What a difference the years have brought. When Harry turned 30, it looked like nothing could come between him and his brother. Together, they were set to become the new face of the royals, injecting a much-needed modernization into The Firm. But now, William and Harry don’t even speak. Before, they always celebrated major milestones together, but there will be no transatlantic call between the two on Harry’s big day.”
Another royal source said to the BBC that there is no going back for the brothers; their relationship only lives in the past.
They said: “I just can’t see a fix. It’s been a long time now and they haven’t found peace. Their lives are now very separate. It’s sad.”
A close source to Prince William explained that nothing has changed, and he has devastating future plans and intentions toward his brother.
An insider told Express: “Although not a deeply personal note, William‘s willingness to acknowledge his brother on his birthday demonstrates how he will treat his brother when he becomes King — with distant respect and at more than arm’s length.”
This is the first sign of the distant respect that will define their relationship when Prince William ascends the throne.
