There will be ‘no call’ between Prince William and Prince Harry on the Duke of Sussex’s 40th birthday as the brothers ‘don’t even speak’, a source has claimed.
It is understood Prince Harry will head off on a holiday with his ‘closest mates’ to celebrate his birthday on Sunday, while Meghan stays at home with their two children.
This will reportedly follow a party at his £11million home in Montecito, California – but a royal insider has claimed there will be one feature notably missing from his 40th birthday.
Though Harry and William have typically celebrated major milestones together, a source told the Mirror that there ‘will be no transatlantic call between to the two on Harry’s big day.’
The insider added: ‘What a difference the years have brought. When Harry turned 30, it looked like nothing could come between him and his brother.
Prince Harry and Prince William at the unveiling of their mother’s statue in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday
Prince William and Prince Harry arrive at the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace, London on July 1, 2021
‘Together, they were set to become the new face of the royals, injecting a much needed modernisation of The Firm.
‘But now, William and Harry don’t even speak. Before, they always celebrated major milestones together but there will be no transatlantic call between to the two on Harry’s big day.’
A rift deepened between the brothers after Prince Harry published his memoir, Spare, last January, with the Prince of Wales reportedly suggesting there is ‘zero chance’ Harry could be welcomed back to the Firm.
In the book, Harry took aim at some members of the Royal Family. He accused William of assaulting him in a row over Meghan and claimed his brother and their father confronted him after Prince Philip’s funeral ‘looking for a fight’.
Harry also alleged that William and Kate urged him to wear his infamous Nazi fancy dress outfit.
Prince Harry and Prince William sit together on the steps of Highgrove House wearing army uniforms in July 1986
Sources close to Harry, who turns 40 next week, told the Daily Telegraph that he is settled in California with Meghan, 43, and their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three. Prince Harry and Meghan pictured with their children in December 2021
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Invictus Games in September 2023
He cast his brother as his ‘arch-nemesis’; Queen Consort Camilla as a ‘wicked stepmother’ and Charles as an emotionally-stunted and ineffectual ‘old man’.
William and Harry have not spoken for months and currently have no contact.
It was revealed earlier this month that both William and Harry attended the funeral of their uncle Robert Fellowes, but witnesses said they didn’t see the brothers speak.
They reportedly sat apart at the back of St Mary’s Church in Snettisham where the service for Eton-educated Lord Fellowes took place.
Sources spoke of how the pair arrived ‘very discreetly’ and that you wouldn’t have known they were there.
According to The Mirror, friends of Harry have said he is determined to improve his relationship with his father, especially given his health problems.
They claimed the Duke would still look for an apology from his brother if he were to represent the family in any way.
And reports claimed last week that Prince Harry will not return to royal duties unless William apologises, but would be willing to ‘help out’ the Firm if asked by his father.
Sources close to The Duke of Sussex have suggested he is happy with his decision to quit his royal role, the Mirror reported.
Prince Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8
Prince Harry, Prince William and King Charles photographed together in July 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan seen during their visit to Colombia on August 15
But they claim he would be open to a temporary role within the Royal Family if asked to help out by his father.
It comes after the Mail on Sunday revealed last week that the Duke had turned away from his ‘Hollywood publicists’ and had resorted to texting former confidantes ‘from his old life’ on how to mastermind a return from exile in the US.
However, sources stressed Harry and Meghan, who have spent the past four years living in California with their two children, are not seeking a permanent return.
It comes as Prince Harry will ‘enjoy a weekend getaway with a few of his closest mates’ to celebrate his 40th birthday on Sunday, according to a report by The Sun.
Meanwhile, Meghan is expected to stay in California with the couple’s two children, five-year-old Archie and Lilibet, three.
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