Prince Harry, the rebellious prince, reaches the significant milestone of 40 years as he remains physically and psychologically distant from the British royal family after the rift in 2020 and self-exile in the United States with his wife Meghan. His choice seems to reflect a certain serenity now, as conveyed in a note to the BBC, to still send a message to the UK. The second son of King Charles and the late Princess Diana expressed being “excited” for his important birthday on Sunday, September 15, no longer feeling “anxious” like when he turned 30 and hadn’t found balance yet. He is determined to continue his many commitments, stating, “Regardless of age, my mission is to continue to be present and do good in the world.” This includes his volunteer work, starting with sponsoring the Invictus Games for wounded war veterans, attending public events in the US and abroad to make his voice heard, like his recent visit with Meghan to Colombia where he strongly condemned ‘fake news’ following violent far-right riots in the UK fueled by misinformation. He also continues his crusade against British tabloids for privacy violations and sensationalist journalism abuses in general.
40 Years of Harry, the rebellious prince remains distant
The Duke of Sussex also plans to celebrate his birthday in California with his family on Sunday, before embarking on a short vacation with friends. He portrays himself as a happy father dedicated to making the world a better place for his children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3: “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny children has given me a new perspective on life, improving my focus in all my work.” He refutes rumors from hostile tabloids about wanting to reconnect with old friends in the UK for a potential return and reunion with the royal court due to alleged discontent with California life.
However, the divisions with the Windsors, especially with his older brother William and heir to the throne, remain evident. These were highlighted during Harry’s recent brief visit to England for the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, Lady D’s brother-in-law, where the two didn’t even speak. Long-standing divisions were exacerbated last year by revelations in Harry’s autobiographical book ‘Spare’, a global bestseller. Yet, Harry has decided not to provide more details in the upcoming paperback edition to avoid further tensions in the Royal Family, dealing with concerns over King Charles and Princess Kate’s dual cancer diagnosis. Health issues did lead to some limited signs of reconciliation, like Harry’s visit in February to meet the monarch in London and private phone calls between the Sussexes and William, and Kate to show solidarity during difficult times. However, no significant further steps have followed after the monarch and princess’s health improvements, with the Atlantic Ocean still dividing the prince from the Windsors. Nevertheless, as he turns 40, the Duke is set to receive an additional substantial inheritance. Another £5 million, based on the personal estate distribution of his great-grandmother, the beloved Queen Mother Elizabeth, who passed away at over 100 in 2002. She left an unequal inheritance for her great-grandchildren, favoring the younger sibling over William, who would receive other assets as the heir to the throne.
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