As Prince Harry marked his 40th birthday on Sunday, social media users expressed outrage over the royal family’s choice to exclude Meghan Markle from an official birthday photo. The Royal Family’s social media account, representing King Charles and Queen Camilla, posted a picture of Harry without Meghan, prompting accusations of intentional exclusion.
The photo, originally taken on July 11, 2018, during Harry and Meghan’s official visit to Ireland, was shared with birthday wishes from both the Royal Family and the Prince and Princess of Wales. However, the Duchess of Sussex was notably cropped out, leading to a backlash from netizens who saw this as a snub rather than a gesture of reconciliation.
🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! pic.twitter.com/sAlSiV9EaZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 15, 2024
Critics on social media were quick to point out the omission, with many suggesting that the cropping of Meghan from the image was a deliberate act amid ongoing family tensions. Some users denounced the post as a mere public relations move, arguing that it did not signify a genuine olive branch.
The photo had been taken during an engagement at Dogpatch Labs, where Harry and Meghan were photographed interacting with members of the startup community. The decision to use this particular image for Harry’s birthday celebration, while excluding Meghan, has fueled discussions about the strained relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
Since stepping back from their royal duties and moving to the United States in 2020, Harry and Meghan’s relationship with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate has been a frequent topic of media scrutiny. The release of Harry’s memoir, ‘Spare’, further highlighted the rift, revealing ongoing discord within the royal family.