Royal rift deepens: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘not welcome back’ despite 40th birthday tributes

Despite public birthday wishes from Charles and William, there's no real olive branch for Harry and Meghan.

Despite public birthday wishes from King Charles III and Prince William on Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, experts claim there is no real olive branch extended to the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle. While the royal family’s social media posts on Harry’s milestone birthday marked the first public acknowledgment since 2021, royal insiders suggest this gesture is far from a reconciliation effort.

Kinsey Schofield, host of the "To Di For Daily" podcast, emphasized that the well-wishes don’t signify peace talks. "Harry and Meghan are certainly not welcome back as a team," Schofield told Fox News Digital. "I would argue they are not welcome back at all if Prince William has anything to say about it. Harry could potentially get his foot in the door through his father, but it’s not something the royal family is longing for."

The rift between Harry and Prince William remains tense, with sources claiming Harry’s calls and texts to his father and brother often go unanswered. While the relationship with William is reportedly "very bad," some insiders insist it is not "irreparable."

Schofield also pointed out that the royal family is handling the Sussexes delicately, especially after "Megxit" and Prince Andrew’s scandal. A new social media protocol dictates that the royal family will only acknowledge non-working royals’ birthdays if they are milestone celebrations—birthdays ending in zero—reducing the risk of stirring up old controversies.

Despite these well-wishes, the family’s priority is focused on King Charles’ and Princess Kate’s health, Schofield explained, as both have been dealing with personal health battles. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan continue to face their own challenges, with trust issues surrounding their inner circle, as reports of high staff turnover plague their public image.

While some speculate that the royal family privately celebrated Harry’s birthday, royal expert Ian Pelham Turner believes the public greetings were nothing more than "another PR move." Both sides, it seems, remain entangled in unresolved tensions.