Prince Harry will be no doubt be gearing up for a huge celebration as he’s just days away from turning 40.
The Duke of Sussex will reach the milestone age on Sunday with it being marked with time with wife Meghan and their two children as well as a lads’ getaway with pals. And nobody could have predicted how life would have turned out for Harry the last time he had a huge birthday. Ten years ago, when he turned 30, Harry was still a working royals, was unmarried as he was yet to meet Meghan or have children and still appeared to be tight with his now estranged brother Prince William and his sister-in-law Kate.
Harry was once close to Kate ( Image: Getty Images)
In fact, it was reported that in the run-up to his 30th birthday in 2014, William and Kate set about planning an intimate birthday dinner for Harry for family including his royal cousins Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie and Zara Tindall as well as close pals at Kensington Palace.
However, it seems that Harry pulled the bash at the last minute as the day approached. Just before his birthday, the now-Princess of Wales started suffering from severe morning sickness while pregnant with Princess Charlotte. At the time, Kensington Palace officials confirmed that Kate had been suffering morning sickness after becoming pregnant for a second time. And in light of his sister-in-law being under the weather at the time, Harry called off the party.
A source told the Mirror at the time: “Harry was in no doubt that the party should be postponed, even though 30 is an important milestone. Kate had been very involved in organising Harry’s party, and once she fell ill he felt it wrong to let the event go ahead.”
Harry, who turns 40 on Sunday, with wife Meghan ( Image: Getty Images)
However, according to Vanity Fair, the party did later go ahead – but it was at Clarence House instead of Kensington Palace. King Charles is said to have sent champagne for guests to enjoy. When it comes to his big birthday on Sunday, it has been reported that Harry will head off on the trip with some of his “closest pals” after marking his day – but Meghan will be staying at home with their two children.
It is not known exactly where the duke’s trip will be, however, PEOPLE magazine, a chosen publication of the Sussexes, said that Harry would be have a “gathering of close friends internationally”. Pals he is known to be still close to include his polo-playing confidante Nacho Figueras. In previous years, Harry enjoyed several raucous trips away with friends including an infamous holiday to Las Vegas back in 2012, when he was pictured partying hard in ‘Sin City’.
But despite the lads’ trip, Harry will also take some time to spend his birthday with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet. According to PEOPLE, the trip for close mates will take place after he has marked the day with his family at home in Montecito. Just yesterday, ahead of his big day, he told how he has found happiness in fatherhood.
“The best gift I’ve ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids,” he said. “I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad.”
