Prince William Sends Prince Harry Rare Message on 40th Birthday Amid Family Rift

Prince Harry got a royal surprise for a milestone birthday: Public well-wishes from his family.

His brother Prince William and father King Charles III shared identical tributes to him as he turned 40 Sept. 15, following three years of radio silence about him on social media amid a family rift.

A post on the Royal family's Instagram read, "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!" William and wife Kate Middleton wrote on their Instagram Stories, "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex."

It marked their first birthday tribute to Harry since 2021, when the family sent their well-wishes to him on X, formerly Twitter.

In their Instagram Stories message, William and Kate reshared the Royal family's Instagram post that included a July 2018 photo of Harry smiling during a visit to DogPatch Labs, a coworking space for technology startups in Dublin, Ireland.

The pic was taken two month after the duke married Meghan Markle. Less than two years later, the two announced their decision to step down as senior royals.

The couple's 2020 exit from the monarchy and move to the United States spurred a rift between Harry and the Royal family. Tensions continued to mount amid comments he and Meghan made about his relatives in the press and the release of his controversial 2023 tell-all memoir Spare.

Harry blames the British tabloids and his family's unwillingness to join him in his legal fight against many of them over their coverage of him and his wife as a major reason for the family rift.

Despite tensions with the Royal family, Harry and Meghan have occasionally returned to the United Kingdom for visits.

This past February, Harry flew to London to visit his father after the King was diagnosed with cancer. Kate shared weeks later that she has also been undergoing cancer treatment and announced earlier this month that she had completed her chemotherapy regimen.

In 2023, Harry attended Charles' 2023 coronation, although he sat away from William and did not join the family on a Buckingham Palace balcony after the ceremony, opting instead to head to the airport. The previous year, he and Meghan were both present at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, days after the duke's 38th birthday. 

Harry recently shared his thoughts on turning 40.

"I was anxious about 30, I'm excited about 40," Harry told BBC in a statement on Sept. 13. "Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world."

The duke, who shares kids Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, with Meghan, added that he plans on spending his actual birthday with his family before going on a celebratory trip with some friends.

"Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work," he added. "Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place."

Read on for more royal news from this year...

On Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales shared that she had completed chemotherapy after being diagnose with an unspecified form of cancer earlier this year. 

"The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you," she said in a video statement. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything."

The royal added, "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can."

The Princess of Wales returned to the spotlight on June 15—three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis—for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London. She was joined by her husband Prince William and their three kids: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Princess Royal was discharged after a five-day stay at Southmead Hospital. Her husband, Tim Laurence, said in a statement June 28, "I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay."

The younger sister of King Charles III sustained minor injuries during an incident at her estate Gatcombe Park, Buckingham Palace has announced.

"Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the June 24 statement, shared to X, read. "The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."

Nearly three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said that she's "making good progress" with chemotherapy, though there are "good days and bad days" amid her health journey.

"On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting," Kate wrote on Instagram June 14. "But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."

She added, "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."

On May 13, King Charles III bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his oldest son, sparking controversy as many royal watchers believed the title would be more suited for Prince Harry, who trained and served in the military branch.

On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties. 

The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.

In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

"It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored. 

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."

Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby.

“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today."

After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule.

The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.

The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide.

While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer.

"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."

The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.

On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th. 

Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days.

"Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."

Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate."

"His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."

Princess Claire and Prince Felix of Luxembourg welcomed son Balthazar Felix Karl on Jan. 7, the first royal baby of the New Year!