New year, familiar territory. After six years of living in the United States, Prince Harry returned to his native United Kingdom last month for an extended stay, and is ringing in his 42nd birthday back on home soil.
HELLO! understands that the Prince is celebrating his birthday on September 15 by working and enjoying time with family and friends. One source told HELLO!: "He's spent it working this morning and then having a late lunch with friends."
With the Sussexes settling into life in the UK once again, HELLO!'s Royal Editor Emily Nash says the Duke "will be delighted to be spending his birthday back in the UK." She explains: "He's wanted to be back here for a long time and will be making the most of being closer to friends and family."
42 and busy in the UK
Forty-two is off to a busy start for Harry. King Charles' younger son is set to attend the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards, as well as the launch of INSPIRE, a new Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 education programme, and the WellChild Awards, which HELLO! is a media partner for. The Duke has also been announced as a featured participant at this year's Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York City, taking place this month.
A friend previously told HELLO! that in the UK, Harry will be doing "the same as what he's been doing in California."
"When the kids are at school, he'll be on calls and having meetings with his patronages and organisations, but some of those can now be face-to-face," the friend shared. "They've talked about returning for a long time and there's no one thing that's drawn them back, but all the pieces of the puzzle have landed at the right time – school, education, career, family. All of those things have to align."
© InstagramAlthough the Duke's address may be different this birthday, his status remains the same.
At King Charles' direction, the Lord Chamberlain issued a letter earlier this month, confirming that Harry and Meghan Markle will remain private citizens while in the UK. The letter stated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's "position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."
© JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty ImagesNo royal family birthday tribute this year
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry's birthday has been acknowledged inconsistently on the royal family's official social media accounts. Posts marked his birthday in 2020, 2021 and 2024, while other years passed without public acknowledgment.
Amid mourning for Queen Elizabeth following her death in September 2022, no post was shared for the Duke's birthday. His birthday in 2023 was also not publicly celebrated. However, in 2024, both the royal family and the Waleses' accounts wished Harry a happy birthday, while in 2025, there was once again no post.
Back on their side of the pond this year, there has been no post from the royal family, though Meghan celebrated her husband's birthday on her personal Instagram with a video, writing: "He's simply the best. Happy birthday, my love [red heart emoji]."
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesThe Spare author expressed his desire to reconcile with his family last year, telling BBC News: "I would love reconciliation with my family. I've always, you know, there's no point in continuing to fight any more."
Months later, ahead of his 41st birthday, Harry reunited with his father at Clarence House for private tea. The Duke, along with Meghan and their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also spent time with the King and Queen Camilla this past summer at Highgrove. News of the Sussexes' plans to relocate to the UK came the following month, with His Majesty said to welcome the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family in a private and personal capacity.
