Prince Harry Turns 40! How He's Spending His Milestone Birthday

Mar. 15, 2025

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Harryis entering a new decade!

The Duke of Sussex is celebrating his 40th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 15 with an intimate bash in Montecito, Calif., where he lives with his wife,Meghan Markle, and their childrenPrince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3,

" 🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!,” read the post from King Charles' official account, alongside a photo of Harry smiling.

Prince William and Kate Middleton also shared the Royal Family’s post on their Instagram Stories andon X(formerly Twitter), adding their own celebratory message: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex,” the caption above the photo read.

The celebratory posts come as a surprise, as public birthday wishes are usually reserved for working royals—though occasionally made for milestone birthdays. Given the ongoing rift between Harry and his brother, as well as his strained relationship with their father, many see these first birthday messages in years as a potential olive branch from King Charles and Prince William.

KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty

Harry is kicking off his forties with a focus on fatherhood. The proud dad recentlytold PEOPLE via his spokesperson: “The best gift I’ve ever been given is, without doubt, my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day and love being their dad.”

Despiterecent speculation, a return to royal duty isn’t on the horizon for Harry as he steps into a new decade of his life. Harry and Meghan, 43, stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2020, and amidongoing tensionsbetween Harry, his fatherKing Charlesand his brotherPrince William, Harry is happy with his life in Montecito.

“I was anxious about 30,I’m excited about 40,” Harry told the BBC in a statement published on Sept. 13. He added, “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”

(From left) Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie and Meghan Markle in a photo shared in the docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” released on Netflix in December 2022.Netflix/Youtube

He added, “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at San Basilio de Palenque during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on Aug. 17, 2024 in Cartagena, Colombia.Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

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As he prepared to turn 40, Prince Harry told the BBC, “Bring on the next decade.” Soon after his big day, the Duke of Sussex willhead to New York Cityto work on behalf of several projects close to his heart, including the organization behind his motherPrincess Diana’s legacy award.

source: people.com