Though the royal rift between Prince Harry, Prince William and their father King Charles continues to wage on, there are some hints that conditions are softening—åt least a little—between Harry and his father, and his recent visits to the U.K. are a major hint.

And though Harry’s “rift” with Prince William isn’t mended, the king is “hopeful” their own relations will “evolve.”

Royal relations have reached a fresh nadir, with the sending of birthday wishes to Prince Harry by King Charles and Prince William’s offices on Sunday revealed to be a triumph of performative style over meaningful substance.

Prince William and King Charles shared birthday wishes for Prince Harry on social media on Sunday, Sept. 15 to celebrate his 40th birthday. The surprise messages came amid an ongoing rift between the Duke of Sussex and his father and brother.

In January 2020, the younger brother stepped down from his role as a senior member of the royal family. A couple of months later, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, relocated with their son, Archie, to California, where they welcomed their daughter, Lilibet, in 2021.

Prince Harry stepping out to meet the crowds two years after being booed at the same venue went viral on social media.

Princess Kate and Prince William's motivation for sending a public birthday message from their social media account to Prince Harry has been revealed by a palace insider. The Duke of Sussex received public birthday wishes from King Charles's Royal Family account and Kate and William's account on X,

Sky News contributor Emily Carver says a reunion between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, “doesn’t look likely”.