Prince Harry may have begun repairing his strained bond with his father, King Charles, but the same cannot be said for his relationship with the Princess of Wales.

The frostiness was clear when Kate Middleton chose not to publicly acknowledge Harry’s 41st birthday last week.

Harry marked the occasion on September 15, just days after an in-person meeting with Charles at Clarence House – their first in 19 months. Though the meeting lasted just 54 minutes, it was hailed as a step toward rebuilding ties.

But the silence from William and Kate suggested otherwise. Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe says the lack of a birthday message spoke volumes: “Kate’s silence spoke a thousand words,” he told OK! magazine.

“They didn’t post anything, which the royals normally would do. So Kate’s message was loud and clear: the ball’s not in our court, Harry – it’s in yours.”

Subtle Royal Signals

According to Larcombe, William and Kate are constrained by royal protocol, meaning they cannot openly discuss Harry and Meghan. Instead, they rely on small gestures – or, in this case, the absence of them.

“They’ve kept silent throughout and rolled with all the punches,” he explained. “They’re not going to call Harry’s bluff by sending him joyful birthday wishes. Instead, they remain silent and avoid him at all costs.”

Despite this, Harry has expressed a desire to bring his children back to Britain and to reconnect with his family. “I think Harry would love William and Kate to forgive him and Meghan,” Larcombe said. “He’s been cast out, so why wouldn’t he want to come in from the cold?