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On September 15th, Prince Harry celebrated reaching the milestone age of 40. It has undoubtedly been an eventful few years for the Duke of Sussex as he has stepped back from royal duties, married Meghan Markle and welcomed two children. As he reflects on the past decade and looks ahead to the future, it's a good time to look back on Harry's life so far and the important moments that have shaped him.
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Harry was born in 1984 as the younger son of then-Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. He grew up in the spotlight as a member of the British royal family but was also known for his more rebellious side in his teenage years. One infamous incident saw him wear a Nazi uniform to a costume party, for which he later apologized. Despite some rocky moments, Harry excelled in his military career after completing his education. In 2005-2015 he proudly served in the British Army, undertaking two tours in Afghanistan.
It was around this time that Harry began to find his cause and purpose. In 2014, he launched the Invictus Games, an international sporting championship for wounded service personnel. The hugely successful event was proudly supported by his father at the time. Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop noted that Prince Charles' encouragement likely made Harry very happy, saying “Well done, darling boy” was Charles' response to Harry's first Invictus performance. A decade on and their relationship is said to be more strained, with Dunlop suggesting Harry would be happier if Charles still cheered him from the sidelines as he turns 40.
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In 2017, Harry took the hugely significant step of getting engaged to American actress Meghan Markle. However, not all welcomed the relationship warmly. Diana's brother Earl Spencer was reportedly asked to advise Harry to reconsider, believing Meghan would struggle to adapt to royal life. But Harry was set on his choice of bride and they married in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. Shortly after, Meghan gave birth to their son Archie in 2019.
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The couple's life changed dramatically in 2020 when they stepped back from royal duties and moved to California with Archie. Their decision was driven reportedly by unwanted media intrusion and a desire for greater financial freedom. The move also put further distance between Harry and the royal family back home, with tensions rising in the following years.
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In 2021, those family relationships faced further difficulty after a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. Harry and Meghan made explosive claims about racism and mental health struggles within the institution. While the interview sparked global discussion, it is said to have widened the rift with the palace. The couple went on to sign lucrative media deals with Netflix and Spotify, cementing their status as modern celebrity entrepreneurs.
In June this year, celebrations were held for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee but Harry and Meghan were seemingly kept at an arm's length by other royals during their visit. A few months later in September, Harry and Meghan welcomed daughter Lilibet Diana, named in part after the Queen. However, it was later revealed that the Queen had not met her namesake great-granddaughter in person due to ongoing reported tensions.
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So as Harry celebrates his 40th milestone, where does he stand with the royal family? In a break from previous years, birthday messages were publicly shared by William, Kate and King Charles on social media - a tentative sign that some efforts are being made to rebuild bridges. However, relations are said to remain strained behind palace walls. Harry has said he is focused on creating a better future while expressing missing fatherly support from Charles. Only time will tell if further reconciliation is possible as the Duke of Sussex starts a new decade of his life.
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