Prince Harry and William's 'sad' split laid bare by palace insider

As Prince Harry celebrates his 40th birthday today, tensions with his older brother, Prince William, remain apparent to an insider.

By Hanisha Sethi, News Reporter

Prince Harry and Prince William standing

Tensions do not seem to be easing among the two brothers (Image: Getty)

As Prince Harry celebrates his 40th birthday today, tensions between himself and Prince William still remain apparent, according to a palace insider.

Since Prince Harry decided to step back as a senior working royal in 2020 and move to California with his wife and young family, he has conducted a series of high-profile interviews detailing his private life within the Firm. In turn, this caused tension with other Royal Family members close to the Duke of Sussex.

In January 2023, the Duke of Sussex released a controversial memoir, Spare, which also details Harry's life growing up in the public eye and highlights intense feuds with his older brother.

A source who had worked with William and Harry told the BBC the brother's lives had now become separate. They said: "I just can’t see a fix. It’s been a long time now and they haven’t found a peace. Their lives are now very separate. It’s sad."

Harry and William reportedly did not engage with each other when they last met at a Spencer family funeral in the UK last month, which Harry flew in from America for. The Mirror has reported that the non-speaking terms still apply as a source has revealed that Prince William, 42, will not call his younger brother on his birthday today.

The source told The Mirror: "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 modernisation of 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."

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Prince William reveals exactly how he will treat Harry when he's king

Prince William and Princess Kate’s public recognition of Prince Harry’s 40th birthday this morning, via a brief social media post, signals a willingness to acknowledge him with a sense of distant respect.While no personal phone call between the brothers is expected today, the tweet marks the first time in recent years that the Prince and Princess of Wales have extended what could be seen as an olive branch to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. READ MORE

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Prince Louis

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Fans left fuming after Prince William and Princess Kate wish Harry a happy birthday

Royal fans have been sent into a frenzy this morning after Prince William and Princess Kate wished Prince Harry a happy birthday, despite an ongoing rift between the two brothers.

Although they have reportedly not been on speaking terms for some time, with Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare last year being the final straw between the pair, this did not stop William from publicly acknowledging his brother’s 40th birthday today.

On official social media channels, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared King Charles’ birthday greeting to Harry and wrote: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”Although this does not confirm the rift is over, the message comes as a surprise to many after the accusations Harry hurled at William in his memoir.

Prince William, Princess Kate and Harry

Prince William and Princess Kate wished Harry a happy birthday (Image: Getty)

King Charles praised by fans for being the 'good guy' with Prince Harry birthday wishes

Royal fans have claimed it is "wonderful" to see Prince Harry acknowledged by his father on his 40th birthday, despite concerns the Firm would snub the Prince during his milestone celebration.

In a thoughtful post on the King and Queen Camilla's official X account, King Charles wished Harry a happy birthday on his birthday, Sunday, September 15.

The post read: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!"Royal fans have flocked to social media to express their delight at the bold gesture made by King Charles. X user, @ColemanPhillipa, wrote: "Wow. Ok, well, good on you for reaching out and being the good guys."

King Charles and Prince Harry split picture

King Charles has been praised by royal fans for sending Harry birthday wishes (Image: Getty)

Prince William and Princess Kate send Harry heartfelt 40th birthday message

The Prince and Princess of Wales have marked the milestone 40th birthday of Prince Harry with a heartfelt message shared on social media.

It read: "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!"

Earlier today, King Charles also issued a public birthday message to his youngest son from his and Queen Camilla's official X account, accompanied by a smiling photo of a joyous Prince Harry.

The birthday messages come following a tumultuous few years for the Royal Family, with explosive interviews, TV programmes and a book seemingly drifting Harry further away from his family.

Prince William Princess Kate

Prince William and Princess Kate wished Harry a happy birthday (Image: Getty)

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Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle was branded a 'dictator in heels' by the Hollywood Reporter (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry's bittersweet last birthday message from late Queen before she died

Prince Harry officially turns 40 today, with sources close to the duke confirming that he will be celebrating his big day at home in California with his family and friends.

Set to have a big birthday bash to celebrate the milestone, it is likely the Duke of Sussex will also spend some time reflecting on his 40-years of life and his family back in the UK, who he has become more estranged from over recent years.

The duke’s birthday also comes exactly a week after the second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death, which was marked by the Royal Family privately last Sunday.

The anniversary also acts as a reminder that Prince Harry had not received a public birthday message from the Royal Family since the late Queen’s passing in 2022, with his last bittersweet birthday message from his grandmother being in 2021.

Prince Harry Queen Elizabeth

Prince Harry last had a birthday message from the late Queen three years ago (Image: Getty)

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Harry, the once-beloved rebel prince who won the hearts of the nation, has evolved into something of a high-profile enigma. I’m not here to throw tomatoes at the man - credit must be given where it’s due. Yet, despite my best efforts to stay impartial, I’m still left scratching my head over the royal rascal's journey since he met Meghan Markle.

Let's start with the positives. Harry’s crowning glory over the last decade is undeniably his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Duke of Sussex said this week that becoming a father to his two children had given him a “fresh perspective on life” and made him more committed to making the world a better place. Let's hope he can follow a similar pledge through with his family here in Blighty.

Read the full comment article on Express.co.uk by Royal Weekend Editor, Nathan Kay.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry has become a divisive figure during his 40 years on this planet (Image: Getty)

King Charles sends Prince Harry very touching 40th birthday message

King Charles has offered a major olive branch to his youngest son Prince Harry as he publicly wished him a happy birthday on social media.

The Duke of Sussex celebrates his milestone birthday as he turns 40 today on Sunday, September 15.The major birthday celebration has been marked by the reigning monarch and Queen Camilla, with a post shared on their official X account.

It reads: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!"

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Prince Harry's real name surprises royal fans as detail spotted on birth certificate

Prince Harry has left royal fans surprised after they realised his real name isn't Harry at all.

As the Duke of Sussex marks his 40th birthday today (Sunday, September 15), fans have flocked to social media to send greetings, while others have uncovered the truth about his official title.

Harry's birth certificate actually reads Henry Charles Albert David, and his children's birth certificates also list this as his real name. Like other members of the Royal Family, he doesn't have a fixed surname like most of us and used 'Wales' during his younger days before switching to Sussex and Mountbatten-Windsor.

Prince Harry

Some fans have uncovered the truth about Harry's real name (Image: Getty)

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With the Duke of Sussex turning 40 today (September 15), he will receive his payout from the fund. It is believed Harry will receive a larger chunk than his brother Prince William, with £14million earmarked for the pair.

Prince Harry talking with Prince William

Prince Harry is set for a cash boost today, but Prince William's net worth is far greater. (Image: PA Wire)

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Prince Harry has spent his life in the spotlight. The royal was first photographed at just one day old back in 1984 and has had most of his life well-documented in the public eye.

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Express.co.uk takes a look at some of his best moments.

Prince Harry

The royal was first photographed at just one day old back in 1984 (Image: Getty)

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