King Charles sent a clear message to his younger son, Prince Harry, by sharing a special birthday tribute to the heir to the throne, Prince William, on Friday.
Buckingham Palace made Prince William's day even more special by releasing an adorable baby picture of William with his father, King Charles, to celebrate his 42nd birthday. This gesture comes amid worsening tensions within the Royal Family, particularly with Prince Harry.
The photo, shared on the Royal Family's official social media accounts, is seen as a poignant reminder to Harry following his allegations and interviews detailed in his book "Spare." The black-and-white portrait, taken in 1982, shows a young Prince William smiling on his father's lap as then-Prince Charles beams affectionately at his eldest son. This choice of photo might sadden Harry, as the King did not share any similar tribute to him on his birthday, which falls on September 15th.
Charles's selection of this picture, taken two years before Harry's birth, seems to emphasize the importance of family. A source close to Harry speculated about his possible reaction, suggesting that Harry might feel upset after seeing the King’s heartfelt tribute to William. Harry has often expressed feelings of being treated as the "spare" within the family. Another insider claimed that King Charles honors those who remain loyal to him and the family, indicating a tendency to distance himself from those who turn their back on the royal institution.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, also contributed to the celebrations by sharing a heartwarming, never-before-seen photo of Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, to mark his 42nd birthday on Instagram. The Princess of Wales wrote a sweet note on behalf of the children, expressing how much the future king of Britain is loved on his special day. The photo, taken by Catherine on a beach in Norfolk last month, features Prince William joyfully leaping in the air, hand-in-hand with his three children. The caption read, "Happy birthday, Pa! We all love you so much."
Additionally, the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Service wished Prince William a happy birthday on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Happy birthday, Prince William! It's always an honor to protect you during your travels to our country. Cheers!" This public acknowledgment might stir some frustration in Prince Harry, who has been pushing for similar security arrangements. Harry might envy the recognition William received, as he desires the same level of importance and acknowledgment.
Earlier this year, Prince Harry faced a significant setback regarding his security arrangements when visiting the UK. The Duke has been locked in a legal battle against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, which determined that he should receive a different level of taxpayer-funded protection. This decision was influenced by the change in Harry's status after he ceased being a full-time working member of the royal family. A judge was informed of these circumstances during the legal proceedings.
