Prince Harry was planning a huge bash for his 30th birthday, but called off the party at the last minute due to a major issue with his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales.Charlotte Foster Royal Reporter and Emma O’Neill Assistant Live News Editor
08:51, 14 Sep 2025
Prince Harry has reportedly reached out to Kate Middleton in a bid to ‘mend’ their rift, after the Duchess of Cambridge’s appearance at Wimbledon last week(Image: Getty Images)
As Prince Harry gears up to celebrate his 41st birthday tomorrow, he’s likely to be surrounded by loved ones in California, following his recent return from a whirlwind UK trip and visit to Ukraine.
Despite potentially planning a grand celebration this year, his birthday plans 11 years ago were abruptly cancelled due to his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales. Rewinding to Harry’s 30th birthday, when he was still an active member of the Royal family and before he met Meghan Markle, the Prince had planned a lavish party with the assistance of his brother Prince William and his wife for his landmark birthday.
Indeed, it was reported that in the run-up to his 30th birthday in 2014, William and Kate organised a cosy family birthday dinner for Harry, with guests including his Royal cousins Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie and Zara Tindall, as well as close friends at Kensington Palace.
A royal biographer has revealed Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ‘true feelings’ amid the family feud with Prince Harry(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
However, it appears that Harry decided to cancel the bash at the last minute as his birthday approached. Just prior to his birthday, the now-Princess of Wales began experiencing severe morning sickness while pregnant with Princess Charlotte, reports the Mirror.
At the time, Kensington Palace officials confirmed that Kate had been suffering from morning sickness after becoming pregnant for the second time. In light of his sister-in-law’s illness, Harry decided to call off the party.
A source revealed to 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.”
Nevertheless, Vanity Fair subsequently reported that the celebration did take place at a later date – but it was held at Clarence House rather than Kensington Palace, with King Charles even providing champagne for attendees to savour. Prince Harry and Princess Kate’s bond is vastly different from what it was back in 2014, with the relatives failing to encounter each other last week during the Duke of Sussex’s uncommon visit to the UK.
On his arrival day in his homeland, Prince Harry journeyed to Windsor to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth on the third anniversary of her passing. A mere 8 miles distant, the Prince and Princess of Wales were similarly honouring the departed monarch with a visit to the Women’s Institute in Sunningdale.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry as they host a tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to honour the children of those who have died serving in the armed forces on May 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales wasn’t scheduled to accompany William to the occasion, but she made an impromptu choice to stand by him on the poignant anniversary.
Kate’s spontaneous appearance alongside William at the gathering could very well be a calculated decision on her behalf, with Judi James observing that the mother of three might be attempting to “avoid being check-mated by the rogue royal”. Speaking to the Mirror, Judi said: “We’ve already seen Harry on a ring doorbell looking like a fan of the impromptu drop-in, and William’s outing to Sunningdale might have left one (future) queen alone and socially vulnerable if a request for afternoon tea was made.
“Kate and Harry used to be so close, and whereas a ‘Sorry I’m up in Sunningdale’ response might be neutral and polite enough, being at home, but turning him down could make Kate risk being made to look like the bad guy when Harry reported back to the US.
“There’s a huge difference between being unavailable and appearing to actively shun someone, and the movements of the royals today suggest they are very mindful of the dangers of the ‘Harry effect’ on their own image and popularity.”
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