Monarch’s Birthday Tribute Highlights Loyalty to Duty Amid Royal Family Tensions
King Charles III has drawn fresh attention to the divide within the royal family after publicly celebrating Princess Charlotte’s 10th birthday—while continuing to remain silent on milestones involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children.
On May 2, the monarch and Queen Camilla shared a cheerful photo of Princess Charlotte, taken by Princess Catherine in Cumbria, on the royal family’s official Instagram Story with the caption: "Happy Birthday to Princess Charlotte!" The gesture was warmly received by the Prince and Princess of Wales and widely seen as a public endorsement of those who remain devoted to royal duties.
According to palace watchers, the move sends a subtle yet unmistakable message to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While King Charles has long maintained that he loves all his children and grandchildren, his latest gesture highlights a growing pattern: prioritising public recognition for royals who actively serve the crown.
The King and Charlotte have shared a notable bond since her birth in 2015—her name being the feminine form of “Charles.” He once expressed joy at finally having a granddaughter “to look after me when I am very old,” and the two were seen wearing matching bracelets during a family outing in 2024.
However, the absence of similar public messages for Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet has not gone unnoticed. While some attribute this to privacy concerns or the Sussexes’ non-working royal status, others view it as a quiet consequence of their decision to step back from official duties.
With his latest gesture, King Charles appears to be drawing a clear line—celebrating the values of duty and service while leaving the door open for reconciliation on his own terms.
