Harry is about to hit a turning point but his 40th will be sad – he looks grumpy in photos & I know why, expert says
PRINCE Harry will feel a “tinge of sadness” on his 40th birthday, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex is preparing to celebrate his landmark birthday this weekend, and has recalled how he was “anxious” about turning 30, but is now “excited” about his upcoming 40th.
Harry will celebrate his birthday with a family gathering at the Sussexes’ Montecito mansion before heading off on a “lads’ holiday”.
But Meghan Markle will not be joining him for the “weekend getaway with a few of his closest mates” to see in his milestone birthday, The Sun revealed earlier.
And Royal biographer Ingrid Seward Matt Wilkinson on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show there had been a huge change in the past ten years in Harry’s life.
She said: “I think there’s a tinge of sadness there.
“When you think, you know, 10 years ago, Harry was sitting in the grandeur of Clarence House with all his school friends and his mates from Sandhurst.”
She added: “And now he’s in Montecito with a whole new crowd of people that he’s only known for probably four years maximum, so it’s very different.
“But he’s moved on in his life and I think that’s very admirable, he hasn’t just sat and moaned here, he’s actually moved on.”
When royal editor Matt Wilkinson said that Harry was “still moaning”, Ms Seward agreed, saying: “He’s still moaning. That’s Harry.”
But the royal biographer also said that she believes the Duke of Sussex has “probably” become wiser over the years.
“I personally think Harry is very happy in Montecito, there’s no reason not to be,” she said.
“It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world… and he’s also focused on whatever philanthropic work he happens to be doing.”
But, she added: “He doesn’t look happy in photographs because he hates being photographed, and of course we know he’s got a war with all of us media. All of us.
“So I think when he hears the click of a camera he puts on that grumpy look, whereas Meghan’s got the sort of perma-smile.”
In a statement to the BBC, Harry said that whatever his age is, his mission is to “continue showing up and doing good in the world”.
He added: “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work.
“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.”
For Harry’s 30th in 2014, he celebrated with a black tie event at Clarence House, following weeks of hard work organising the Invictus Games.
There was a special performance from singer Ellie Goulding at the event, reports from the time said.
Prince William was there, but Kate Middleton, who was pregnant at the time, was not.
King Charles, who was then Prince Charles, was on holiday in Scotland at the time with Camilla.