When Will Prince Harry Rejoin The Royal Family?

Prince Harry celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this month, and he received one present he may not have expected.

On September 15, Harry's father King Charles, and his wife Queen Camilla, wished him a happy birthday on their Royal Family X account.

The post read: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!"

Harry's estranged brother Prince William and his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, followed suit, writing on their X account: "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex."

For Harry's 39th birthday, there was radio silence on such Royal accounts.

So, could this finally be a big breakthrough in terms of Harry rejoining the Royal Family?

Following the latest news, betting sites have been busy speculating whether Harry could return to the fold sooner rather than later.

When Will Prince Harry Rejoin The Royal Family Odds?

Step In The Right Direction

The Duke of Sussex stepped back from Royal Family duties in 2020 to start a new life in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and the pair have children Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet.

Speaking about his 40th birthday, Harry said in a statement: "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40 ... being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place."

While Harry remains estranged from his brother and father, the latest move to wish him a happy 40th birthday could be the very beginning of an olive branch.

It is now just 7/4 on UK betting sites that Harry rejoins the Royal Family next year, and 5/2 that he does so in 2026.

A Royal source told The Times newspaper: "Although he [Harry] has lost a huge amount of support here, there would undoubtedly be great satisfaction if a resolution was reached, which would be of major benefit to the institution."

While Charles and Camilla extended their birthday wishes to Harry, there was some controversy.

Some Royal supporters claimed Meghan had been cropped out of the photo of Harry used by the King and Queen on the post.

The picture was from a visit Harry and Meghan made to Dublin in 2018, in which she had been sitting next to him.

However, it was later clarified there were two separate pictures - one of Harry on his own and another of the Prince alongside Meghan and four others.

It is thought the photograph used in the X post was the individual snap of Harry, meaning cropping hadn't taken place.

Harry And William's Standoff

Despite the positive Royal social media birthday activity, Harry and William are not thought to have spoken in two years, so things may not be that straightforward in terms of a reunion.

What's more, Harry isn't thought to have seen Charles when he was in the UK last month for the funeral of his uncle, Lord Fellowes. 

William was also there, but it's not known if they interacted.

A royal source told The Times newspaper: "They have to reach an accommodation. This standoff can’t go on and on. People will get impatient with the fact that nobody’s trying to mend this."

There could be another chance to chat later this month though.

Harry will be back in the UK on September 30, when he attends the WellChild Awards in London.

Should he meet up with either Charles or William during the visit, the 7/2 on specials betting sites for Harry to rejoin the Royal Family in 2024 could soon be much shorter.

It wouldn't be the first time Harry has seen his dad this year.

In February, it was announced Charles had cancer, and he and Harry are said to have met briefly at Clarence House.

Speculation about Harry's Royal Family comeback also grew earlier this year when a statement Harry made against the press in 2016 was deleted from the Firm's website, after being up on the site for seven years.

Some commented that it could have been part of the initial signs of a potential reconciliation.

Past Controversy

However, one glaring issue is all that has gone on since Harry relocated to the US.

This includes Harry and Meghan's now-infamous tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, which featured several claims, including Meghan alleging Catherine had made her "cry" over a flower girl dress ahead of her and Harry's wedding.

What's more, Meghan also claimed in the interview that during her time in the Royal Family there were "concerns and conversations" about "how dark" her then-unborn son Archie's "skin might be when he's born".

She didn't mention who had allegedly made the remarks, but it sparked a Palace witch-hunt on social media.

What's more, Harry also spoke out about his family in a bombshell Netflix documentary series, and in his 2023 memoir, Spare.

The book featured several allegations about the Royal Family, including one claim that he and his brother, Prince William, once brawled over Harry's marriage to Meghan.

It's 3/1 on betting apps for Harry to rejoin the Royal Family in 2027 or later, and a massive 20/1 that it never happens.

Despite everything that has gone on, it simply seems inconceivable that either Harry or William would pass before making up.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.