The Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla wished Harry on his birthday via video call, which was also attended by Meghan Markle and Archie.
One thing grandparents love to do is dote on their grandchildren. Spending time together helps both the child and the senior adult. Whether you are a celebrity or a regular person, the pandemic has kept different generations of families apart. One of those families happens to be the British royal family, who are celebrating milestones away from each other, unable to connect in person.
Since Prince Harry, 36, and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, 39, parted from their roles of being senior members of the royal family, they have moved to their own home in Santa Barbara, California. Continents apart, occasions are being celebrated between Harry and his royal family through video calls and not in person. The 36-year-old celebrated his birthday recently and spoke to his father, Prince Charles, through a video call.
They reportedly cut a cake baked by Markle during the call. Harry's son Archie was also present then, the Daily Star reported. One of the sweetest things that happened during the call was Archie blowing the candles on the cake along with his father.
"It was very pleasant. Harry told the family how much he missed them. Meghan baked a cake and Harry blew out candles. Archie made them laugh when he also blew them out," a source said.
Archie also delighted his grandfather when he called him "Pa". The little boy, who turned one in May 2020, is at the stage where he has started using some words. He reportedly says "Dada", "Mama", "book" and "dog", etc.
Unfortunately, Harry's elder brother, Prince William, didn't attend the call and made "some excuse" for it. The call was reportedly set up by Prince Charles and The Queen, said another Daily Star report. It was also attended by Charles' wife Camilla. A source told the Sunday Mirror, "William sent his birthday best wishes. There was some excuse made about why he wasn’t there."
The future king and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, visited a London Jobcentre and bagel bakery instead on September 15, the day of Harry’s birthday. "It was a bit awkward that William and Kate weren’t there," the source said.
It has been said for a long time that the two brothers have drifted apart since Harry and Markle announced their departure from the royal family. Harry had also alluded to the existing problems between them when he told ITV journalist Tom Bradby that he and William were "on different paths".
The source also added, "The boys love each other and there will always be a close connection. It’s just been difficult of late. It’s unfortunate that William could not be on the call."
The latest biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which charts their journey from when they were dating to them leaving the monarchy, talked about the rift between the two brothers. They didn't see eye to eye when Prince William told his younger brother that he shouldn't be in a hurry with Meghan Markle and instead should just take it slow with the former actress.
He had advised his brother to first get to know her before surging ahead but the couple had a whirlwind romance with them getting married in 2018 and having a child in 2019. William and Middleton shared a photo of Harry to wish him on his birthday instead. The image was from February 2017 when the three of them raced together for their mental health campaign Heads Together. Markle was absent from all the royal photos that were shared by the members of the royal family because of a protocol.
Harry turned as old as his mother, Princess Diana, was when she passed away. It is likely that she was on his mind that day.
References:
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/prince-charles-left-delighted-baby-22715313
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/prince-william-snubbed-prince-harrys-22711204
