Prince Harry to celebrate 38th birthday privately with Meghan as royal family mourns the Queen
LONDON, UK: Prince Harry will mark his 38th birthday on Thursday, September 15, while mourning the death of his beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duke of Sussex is currently in the UK after cutting short what was supposed to be a whistlestop tour of Europe in light of the tragedy. Harry, who is currently based in his $14 million mansion in California after he and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals last year, is not expected to return to the US to reunite with his children for his birthday. The Duke seemed overcome with emotion on Wednesday, September 14, as he honored the Queen while she lay in state inside Westminster Hall.
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According to the Daily Mail, it is unclear if the Sussexes have anything planned for Harry's special day, but it appears unlikely he will spend it with his family considering Kate and William are due to travel to Norfolk to see floral tributes to the Queen, and the King will be spending the day in Gloucestershire. However, while it is currently not known what Harry and Meghan will do for his special day, it is safe to say that it will be considerably different from his last two birthdays.
The Duke celebrated his 36th birthday after Megxit and it took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Just weeks before, he and Meghan had signed a mega production deal with Netflix believed to be worth around $150 million. They said they intended to provide "hope and inspiration" with their upcoming documentaries, feature films, and children's programming on the platform. Harry reportedly spent that birthday feeling "happier than ever" and "didn't miss his old life at all."
Harry's 37th birthday was said to have been a "low key" affair, with a small, intimate gathering at his Santa Barbara mansion. At the time, a source close to the Sussexes said they had opted for a toned-down celebration in light of recent world events and were focusing on "being of service" rather than being socialites. "Meghan is planning a low-key birthday dinner for Harry. In light of what's happening in the world - from Afghanistan to Covid - they both decided to keep it simple," the insider told the Daily Mail last year. "Meghan said she's making a carrot cake with the help of Archie, and that guests will include Doria and a few close friends." This time, however, it will likely be a different kind of affair for the couple, who are reportedly staying at Frogmore Cottage during their extended trip to the UK.
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According to the newspaper, it is unknown if the Sussexes have flown their children Archie and Lilibet to join them to mark the occasion or whether they will attend the Queen's funeral service on Monday, September 19. It is also unknown whether he will be able to celebrate with William and Kate, or his father Charles. As mentioned, the new Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to travel to Norfolk to check out floral tributes to the late monarch. King Charles, meanwhile, is reportedly holed up at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire for a private day of reflection and is not expected to attend any public events.