Prince Harry received two messages on social media from members of the royal family on his 40th birthday and an insider said Princess Kate was behind the idea.
Duchess Of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex Attend ANZAC Day Service (Image: Getty)
Princess Kate organised the sweet message to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday after spotting signs he was “homesick”, according to an insider.
Harry celebrated the landmark birthday on September 15 and eyebrows were raised when the Prince and Princess of Wales wished him a happy birthday in a message on social media. William and Kate shared an earlier post from the royal family on X, formerly Twitter, and added their own message, which read: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”
Many commentators saw the post as a surprise move given the unresolved tensions between the brothers. However, a source revealed to Bella that it was Kate who was behind the simple message.
And, according to the source, despite living thousands of miles away she made sure he had a birthday telephone call, as well as a special gift to mark his big day.
A source told Bella: “Kate was very much the driving force behind Harry’s birthday wishes, as she slowly makes good on her vow to restore some kind of peace and forgiveness between the estranged royal and his family before it’s too late.
The Duke & Duchess Of Cambridge And Prince Harry Join Team Heads Together (Image: Getty)
“She told William in no uncertain terms that this is not the time for resentment, they needed to show the world that love and family are front and centre of their values, but more importantly she wanted Harry to have this message on his big day.
“It meant the world to Harry that the royals, as well as the Waleses, sent this olive brance on social media. And Kate made a point to call him and send a thoughtful gift his way as well.”
Harry, who lives in California after stepping down from the working monarchy in 2020, spent his birthday with the Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. He is then said to be heading away for a gathering with close friends.
The post from the royal family account earlier on Sunday marked the first public birthday message for Harry since 2021. Harry and William’s estrangement has shown no sign of abating after the 40-year-old’s damaging claims towards the royal family in his TV interview with Oprah and in his controversial memoir Spare.
However, Kate and Harry once had an extremely close relationship. He often referred to her as ‘Cath’ and previously described her as the sister he never had.
The insider told Bella that Kate is now ready to “forgive and move on from the past” following the end of her chemotherapy treatment as well as Harry and Meghan’s reported message to her after the diagnosis.
They said: “Kate’s always had a soft spot for Harry, and despite the hurtful things he’s said and done, she’s found it in her heart to forgive him and has quietly been chipping away at William to convince him it’s time to let the anger go.
“She doesn’t believe it’s right to just give up on Harry. She’s worried for him because she sees all the signs of how homesick and vulnerable he is. Her view is that no matter what, family is family.”