As Prince Harry marks his 40th birthday by spending time with Meghan and the kids, a cloud will hang over the day with brother William allegedly refusing to mark the occasion in any way

Prince Harry says he is excited to turn 40 tomorrow, admitting it is in stark contrast to the anxiety he felt over his 30th birthday.

And he reflected on the joy of becoming a father to Archie and Lilibet ahead of the milestone. The Duke of Sussex said: “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40. 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. 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.”

While he will spend the day with his family at home in California, Harry’s father, King Charles, will call his second son to wish him well. But the Mirror understands his estranged brother Prince William will not mark the day in any way, highlighting the gaping chasm that still exists between them.

Harry saw his brother two weeks ago at a memorial service for their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes – but the pair never once spoke, despite being only a few feet away from each other. A 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.”

Harry with father, King Charles, around the time of his 30th birthday ( 
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Getty Images)

“But now, William and Harry don’t even speak. Before, they always ­celebrated major milestones together but there will be no transatlantic call between to the two on Harry’s big day.”

On Harry’s 30th, William attended a raucous black-tie party at Clarence House. Then, young Harry longed more than anything for a dog and a house in the country. At the time, the Prince had split from his on-off girlfriend Cressida Bonas, and was known to want to find a partner he could settle down with.

He regularly appeared as a third wheel alongside brother William and sister-in-law Kate, both 42, at royal events and the country wanted nothing more for him than to find a wife he could share his life with. Harry was still firmly entrenched in royal life, with his titles intact and a strong bond with his family.

Harry and Meghan on a recent visit to Nigeria ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
According to reports, he even cancelled some birthday celebrations due to Kate, who was pregnant with Princess Charlotte, suffering from severe morning sickness.

The three couldn’t have appeared closer. But fast-forward a decade and the Prince is now carving out a new path thousands of miles away from the palace, stripped of his military titles and estranged from his family.

The gulf began shortly after he and wife Meghan moved to California and gave an explosive interview to US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey. The Duchess described approaching Harry and the Royal Family, seeking help with suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy. “I just didn’t want to be alive any more,” she said. “And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember – I remember how he just cradled me.”

The Sussexes’ iconic wedding ( 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Meghan said she later asked a senior royal about the possibility of seeking help and was told that would not be possible because it “wouldn’t be good for the institution”. And Harry claimed while his wife was pregnant, a member of his family had expressed “concerns” to him about the baby’s skin colour.

But insiders said the final straw for William were claims made in Harry’s memoir, Spare, including that the pair had physically fought over Harry’s relationship with Meghan. The Royal Family responded with expressions of empathy, couched with the now infamous line: “Recollections may vary.” The royals have always denied any racism.

Relations between brothers William and Harry, seen in 2013, are strained ( 
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A US insider added: “As far as Harry is concerned, he is getting on with his life. There is no sign of relations thawing and the Prince still feels he is owed an apology from his family for the way he and Meghan were treated. Meghan just wants him to move on and be happy.”

Harry’s 40th will be a low-key affair, held at his lavish Montecito mansion, where he, Meghan, 43, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, have been building their new life. “The best gift I have ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids,” he said this week. “I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad.”

On Sunday, the Duke is expected to be surrounded by close friends and family. But after the private celebration, he has planned a weekend “lads’ getaway” to the mountains with a handful of his closest friends. There is no word on whether his brother William was invited.

Princess Kate recently revealed she is free of cancer
In the past decade, Harry has found love and become a father. But the personal cost has been steep. His family ties are ­fractured, his cherished military titles gone and his public image has been marred by the feud with the Royal Family and the UK government.

Yet, despite the controversies and the criticism, Harry appears determined to forge ahead. As he hits 40, the Duke of Sussex is looking to the future with renewed energy and focus on his passions and projects. His Archewell Foundation has expanded globally, with impactful visits to Colombia and Nigeria, and the launch of The Parents’ Network, which offers support to families whose children have been harmed by abuse and trauma over social media.

This year also marked the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games, Harry’s passion project supporting wounded and sick service personnel and veterans, celebrated at a service in St Paul’s Cathedral.

And he was honoured with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards for his dedication to the Games and has announced the next series in his Netflix deal, a fly-on-the-wall look at polo, known as the sport of kings.

It is clear that the Duke of Sussex is not content to fade into obscurity. Perhaps it is rather apt. After all, they do say life begins at 40.