Is it time for the royal family to welcome him back or was their birthday message ‘polite’?

Prince Harry’s 40th birthday was marked by not one, but two messages: one from the royal family, and the other from the Prince and Princess of Wales. But did the House of Windsor welcome his return, or was their banter simply “polite”?

Has Prince Harry been welcomed back into the royal family?

Prince Harry turned 40 on September 15. The Duke of Sussex celebrated the personal milestone with his wife, Meghan Markle, their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and some of his closest friends.

Harry’s day was marked by a message from the royal family and the Prince and Princess of Wales. It read: “Today we wish the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday!” The message was posted on the royal family’s Instagram account. It was also visible on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram story.

So does this mean Harry has been welcomed back into the family fold? This major royal development can’t be confirmed by a single Instagram post.

However, it could mean that the lines of communication between the Duke and his family are open. Or perhaps the family have simply been “polite”, according to royal correspondent Richard Fitzwilliams.

Royal correspondent weighs in on royal family’s surprise birthday message to Harry

Royal correspondent Richard Fitzwilliams told Good Morning Britain that the Royal Family had been “polite” in celebrating Prince Harry’s 40th birthday. Fitzwilliams said it would reflect poorly on the institution if it did not commemorate the “historic” day of Harry’s birth.

“I think they’ve marked a turning point. Harry is 40,” Fitzwilliams said. “Let’s remember that four years ago this month, (Meghan and Harry) were in South Africa representing the Queen. What did they do?”

He concluded: “They pulled the rug out from under the Royal Family and carried on what I call ‘guerrilla warfare’. They had this incredibly damaging interview with Oprah, which was accused of racism, and this six-part documentary in which they denigrated the Commonwealth.”

Could Prince Harry join the royal family?

No public reconciliation has taken place between Prince Harry and the House of Windsor. The families have remained at odds ever since.

Privately, there could be a whole level of communication that the press and public are completely unaware of. Therefore, never say never when it comes to Prince Harry’s return to the royal family.

This birthday wish is therefore a step in the right direction for the House of Windsor. Prince Harry lives in Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.