Yes, Prince William publicly wished his brother a happy birthday, but that’s not what caught my attention.

I may not (yet) have an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the British royal family, but as a royal journalist, I’ve kept a close enough eye on their social media to predict the content they’ll share. For example, highlights from their royal engagements, important health updates, and personal letters to Team Great Britain are just a few of the things I’ve come to expect on their official pages, from Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. But a birthday tribute from Prince William to his brother? I confess, I didn’t see that coming.

Still, the fact that the Prince of Wales acknowledged Prince Harry’s birthday wasn’t the biggest surprise to me. In case you missed it, the 42-year-old prince took to X (formerly Twitter) and wished his little brother a happy birthday. The message read, “Wishing the Duke of Sussex a happy 40th birthday!” And naturally, royal fans lit up the comments section with their own well-wishes. But there’s one odd detail that’s been nagging at me, and that’s the fact that Prince William opted for a retweet, rather than an original post.

As you can see, King Charles initially sent a quirky birthday tribute that read, “Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today,” along with a birthday cake emoji and a photo of the Duke laughing. The amusing message suggests that the monarch was extending an olive branch to Harry, but what I find most striking is that Prince William didn’t follow suit and create his own message. Sure, his message suggests that he’s made an effort despite years of tension, but am I the only one who finds it odd that this isn’t at least a coordinated effort?

Now, before you ask, yes, I know that Prince Harry didn’t share a birthday tribute when William turned 42 earlier this year. However, it’s worth noting that neither Harry nor his wife, Meghan Markle, have been active on social media since 2020. And as far as their official website goes, updates are reserved for official engagements. It’s likely that the Duke marked this event offline, so I wouldn’t be too quick to assume that Prince William’s gesture is one-sided.

CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Last year, the royal family didn’t publicly wish Prince Harry a happy birthday, due to a new protocol put in place when King Charles ascended to the throne. At the time, birthday tributes were mostly reserved for working members of the royal family, but this time around, it seems the royal family is making an exception.

Ahead of his birthday, Prince Harry opened up about turning 40 as a father. He said: “I was anxious about turning 30, but I can’t wait to turn 40. Becoming a father to two incredibly kind and funny children has given me a new perspective on life and sharpened my focus in all my work. Being a father is one of life’s greatest joys and has made me even more motivated and determined to make the world a better place.”

Am I convinced that William and Harry are repairing their relationship? Well, yes, but I think it will take time and a few more (ideally original) birthday tributes.

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