Report claims Sussexes withheld birthday message to Princess of Wales in ‘deliberate’ move
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been drawn into fresh scrutiny after a report claimed the couple did not publicly acknowledge Princess Catherine’s recent birthday, a break from the social-media gestures typically made by senior royals. The claim has reignited debate about where relations stand between the Sussexes and the Royal Family as the Princess of Wales marks another year and continues to be a focal point of public attention.
The birthday silence was described as intentional, with Express reporting that sources close to the situation characterised the lack of a public message as “deliberate” and a “line in the sand”. The report also said another source framed the decision as a “quiet power play”, while a different insider suggested the intention may have been to give the Princess “space”.
The report comes amid continued interest in the Duke of Sussex’s ties with the monarchy, with the Express noting he has spoken publicly about wanting to rebuild relationships after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. It also referenced the broader family rift following the couple’s media projects and Prince Harry’s memoir, which have featured personal accounts of tensions with King Charles and Prince William.
In the same coverage, Princess Catherine’s birthday was marked by her own social-media post, described as a personal message reflecting on nature and wellbeing after her early 2024 cancer diagnosis. The Princess spoke of gratitude and described nature as a “quiet teacher” that can help people heal, which prompted widespread attention online and renewed discussion around how different members of the family choose to communicate publicly.
Whether the Sussexes’ public absence was calculated or simply a choice to keep private matters private, the episode underlines how every small gesture is closely read for meaning. With the Royal Family heading into another busy period of engagements, online signals and perceived snubs are likely to continue shaping headlines as the wider story of reconciliation—or continued distance—remains unresolved.
