Prince Harry turned 40 this weekend, and the Royal Family extended public birthday wishes to the Duke of Sussex despite their strained relationship. However, the birthday greetings stirred controversy when social media users noticed that Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife, was seemingly cropped out of the photo chosen to mark the occasion.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, King Charles III and Prince William’s official social media accounts shared an image of Harry from his 2018 trip to Dublin, to wish him a happy birthday. In the photo, Harry is smiling, but the original version includes Meghan Markle sitting beside him. Social media users were quick to point out that the royal family’s posts only featured Harry, sparking speculation that the Duchess of Sussex had been deliberately cropped out.
Buckingham Palace promptly responded to the allegations. A spokesperson denied that Markle had been intentionally cropped out, stating that the image used was the version provided by the Press Association. A Palace spokesperson explained to the outlet that Markle was not removed from the image, but they had selected the picture version that did not include her.
This explanation, however, did little to quell public opinion. Many online commentators suggested that, given the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, the choice to use a version of the photo without Markle could have been a subtle snub. The original version of the photo, which includes Markle, was uploaded on the same day in 2018, making the cropped image an option from the beginning. Nonetheless, the Palace maintained that no offense was intended. Despite the Palace’s claim that the image was used as received, social media was filled with opinions on the possible implications of the cropped version.
This isn’t the first time the Royal Family’s use of photos has drawn scrutiny. Last year, Kate Middleton was forced to apologize after an altered image was used in a Mother’s Day post. Public speculation surrounding the health of the Princess of Wales escalated until she later revealed that she had been undergoing chemotherapy. The Royal Family, constantly under the spotlight, often finds itself at the center of such controversies over the smallest details.
The birthday greetings marked the first time in three years that King Charles and Prince William have publicly acknowledged Harry’s birthday. Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have strained relationships with the rest of the family. The couple has shared their grievances publicly, with Harry speaking out in interviews and in his memoir “Spare,” where he details his issues with his father and brother.
Still, some observers viewed the birthday messages as a potential olive branch extended to Harry despite the ongoing rift. Public birthday wishes are typically reserved for working members of the Royal Family. Yet, the inclusion of Harry’s birthday on social media, despite the tension, was surprising. The choice of an image from when Harry and Meghan were still full-time royals could also be seen as a gesture of goodwill.
As for Harry, he celebrated his birthday privately with Meghan Markle and their children at their home in Montecito, California. Sources close to the couple have revealed that Harry spent the day surrounded by close friends and family, enjoying time away from the public eye.. In a previous interview, Harry stated emphatically that his children are the greatest gift he has ever received, and he feels thankful every day for the chance to watch them grow.
Though appreciated by some, the Royal Family’s birthday tribute to Harry has once again highlighted the ongoing discord within the family.