From Celebration to Conflict: Prince Harry Once 'Called Off Huge Birthday Bash for Kate Middleton' as 'Frosty' Reactions Cloud His 40th
Harry, Duke of Sussex, will turn 40 on Sunday, September 15, and when it comes to his 30th milestone a decade ago, "things are different now, to say the least," according to a palace insider.
In September 2014, two years before the "age of Meghan [Markle]" kicked off, Prince William and Kate, then-Duchess of Cambridge, were planning an "intimate" family dinner for Harry's big day, and even invited Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, along with Zara Tindall. When Kate fell ill while pregnant with Princess Charlotte, the future "Duke of Whining" even called off his bash just for her.
A source then told an outlet, "Harry was in no doubt that the party should be postponed, even though 30 is an important milestone. Kate had been very involved in organizing Harry's party, and once she fell ill he felt it wrong to let the event go ahead."
The bash was planned to unfold at Kensington Palace, where William, Kate and Harry, all lived, but was later re-scheduled to commence at Clarence House, the home of then-Prince Charles and Camilla, then-Duchess of Cornwall. The future king even sent over champagne for his youngest son's guests to enjoy.
Flash-forward to this coming Sunday, and the California Duke is reportedly ringing in his 40s by going on a trip with his "closest pals" while Meghan stays at home. Sources told an outlet that the fifth in line to the British throne will not depart for the excursion until after his Duchess and two kids serenade him with a traditional birthday celebration in their Montecito mansion.
As the big 4-0 nears, the prince heartwarmingly told a publication, "The best gift I've ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad."
As for his gesture for Kate 10 years ago, the current royal feud between them and his brother "has destroyed everything" when it comes to their former dynamic.
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The trust between Princes William and Harry is likely "eternally lost" thanks to the latter's "endless attacks" on the monarchy. The rift is so severe that even after nearly two years of estrangement, the royal siblings allegedly could not even look at one another at Lord Robert Fellowes' memorial on August 29.
"Since we learned that Harry had made this unannounced visit, I’ve been speaking to people about… the chances of a reconciliation between the brothers, but everyone really has made the same points that it won’t happen until Harry and Meghan really apologize for everything they have said," royal editor Richard Eden shared when reporting on the "frosty" non-interaction between the princes at the gathering.
Daily Mirror reported on the insider revelations.