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I'M almost sure today's surprise birthday greetings to Harry from the King and Queen as well as William and Catherine IS an olive branch.

Okay, they may not have put their signatures on the 11-word message but remember Harry’s birthday last year got totally ignored by his immediate family.

William and Kate's account shared this post celebrating Harry's birthday
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William and Kate's account shared this post celebrating Harry's birthdayCredit: Twitter
The move could be seen as an olive branch between the royal siblings
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The move could be seen as an olive branch between the royal siblingsCredit: PA
The brothers had a close relationship growing up
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The brothers had a close relationship growing upCredit: PA

To me this latest development suggests warm wishes and maybe be a glint of a future kiss and make up.

This week, William had some great news. Catherine is now cancer-free. In their video they looked so happy and relieved.

Perhaps William is feeling just maybe this feud should come to an end.

But at the same time, goodwill has got to come from California as well.

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Harry is due to inherit a lot of money from the Queen Mother's estate.

Perhaps he may think that it's time to perhaps come back and be welcomed instead of shunned by his father and his brother.   

The photo the royals issued on Harry’s birthday is a lovely picture.

It’s the Harry I remember, all smiles and looking cheeky.

He's got a party lined up. I hope he will let his hair down a bit.

Maybe he will get carried away and pick up the phone to England.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle ‘desperately need his £8MILLION birthday gift – they love to spend money’, expert says

Who knows? Perhaps the Royal Family can sort it out.

I do know the King still loves his son deeply and I'm sure in his heart William has great memories of growing up with his brother.

But let’s see what the royals do for Meghan when it is her birthday next August.

Then we really will know if this really is a genuine olive branch – or just a break in hostilities.

Prince Harry's surprise 40th birthday message was shared from Kate and William's account.

Posting on Instagram, William and Kate's account said: "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex."

The official account shared a snap of California-based Harry smiling in a grey suit and white shirt.

It is the first time the royal family has shared a public message for Harry since wishing him a happy birthday in 2021
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It is the first time the royal family has shared a public message for Harry since wishing him a happy birthday in 2021Credit: AP

But the post was not signed off with William or Kate's initials, as is normally the case for posts they write themselves.

The Royal Family's account shared the same snap, saying: "Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!"

It is the first time the royal family has shared a public message for Harry since wishing him a happy birthday in 2021.

Last year the royals declined to publicly celebrate Harry's 39th birthday.

Harry was heard admitting he hadn't heard from his family when asked by a well-wisher at the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany.

The royals' silence came after Harry released his memoir Spare, which blasted his entire family - including William, Kate and Camilla.

This year prince is marking his 40th birthday with family and friends at his £11million mansion in California.

He will then jet off for a "weekend getaway" with a few close friends, The Sun revealed this week.

It is not yet known where Harry will go or who will join him on the trip.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

But the group is unlikely to include his brother William - as he and Harry have not spoken for more than two years.

And Harry's wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet will stay at home while he heads off with his mates.

Prince Harry's £8million gift for his 40th birthday

PRINCE Harry is set to inherit an £8million gift on his 40th birthday from the Queen Mother.

The late Queen Elizabeth began collecting a sizable trust fund for the Duke of Sussex, who will celebrate his special milestone on September 15, when he was just 10-years-old.

A former Palace aide told The Times: “There was a trust fund set up at the time.

"It was a way in which the Queen Mother could set aside money for when her great-grandchildren were older and a way of passing a slice of her estate down in a tax-efficient way.

"It was a way in which some of her estate could be ring-fenced for them.”

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