Prince Harry’s 40th birthday plans – lads holiday, Meghan’s absence and best gift

Inside Prince Harry’s 40th birthday plans – lads holiday, Meghan’s absence and best gift
In just a matter of days, Prince Harry will mark his milestone 40th birthday – and it seems that the Duke of Sussex has some big plans to celebrate the landmark, with some reportedly not involving Meghan Markle

It’s shaping up to be a huge weekend for Prince Harry – that’s because on Sunday he hits his landmark 40th birthday.

The Duke of Sussex looks set to enjoy a bumper celebration for the milestone – although it will be a very different birthday to that of when he turned 30, 10 years ago. At that time, he was still a working royal, having not yet married Meghan Markle and it was also before becoming a dad to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. So how exactly is his 40th birthday shaping up now he’s quit the Firm and is living in California? Here we take a look…

Lads getaway
According to one report, Harry will be celebrating his birthday this weekend with a ‘lads’ getaway. The Sun reports that Harry will head off on the trip with some of his “closest pals” after marking his day – but Meghan will be staying at home with their two children.

It is not known exactly where the duke’s trip will be, however, PEOPLE magazine, a chosen publication of the Sussexes, said that Harry would be have a “gathering of close friends internationally”. Pals he is known to be still close to include his polo-playing confidante Nacho Figueras.

In previous years, Harry enjoyed several raucous trips away with friends including an infamous holiday to Las Vegas back in 2012, when he was pictured partying hard in ‘Sin City’.

Best gift
But despite the lads’ trip, Harry will also take some time to spend his birthday with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet. According to PEOPLE, the trip for close mates will take place after he has marked the day with his family at home in Montecito. Just yesterday, ahead of his big day, he told how he has found happiness in fatherhood.

“The best gift I’ve ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids,” he said. “I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad.” He will not be joined by his father, King Charles or brother, Prince William.

Meghan and Harry with their kids
Harry will spend part of his birthday with wife Meghan and their children ( Image: Netflix)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with kids Archie and Lilibet and, right, Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle
Harry and Meghan with children Archie and Lilibet.

The magazine also reported that despite recent speculation, Harry has no plans to return to royal duties. They described him as being “happy with his life in Montecito, California” and concentrating on his charitable endeavours.

Following his birthday celebrations, the Duke will visit New York City later this month to promote several projects close to his heart, including the organization behind Princess Diana’s Legacy Award. He is also focused on his work with his Archewell Foundation, the non-profit he co-founded with Meghan, and a series of entertainment projects through their Netflix deal, including an upcoming documentary airing in December that’s centred on his passion for polo.

Worlds away change
Meanwhile, the landmark celebration looks set to be hugely different from 10 years ago when Harry turned 30.

At that time in 2014, his birthday was officially marked with a family-filled party at Clarence House attended by Harry’s close friends, including Guy Pelly. The intimate bash reportedly saw King Charles send over champagne for guests, which also included his girlfriend at the time Cressida Bonas.

The dinner party is said to have been hastily rearranged after it originally had been planned to have been hosted at Kensington Palace by William and Kate. However, the original date and venue of the gathering had to be moved as at the time Kate had been suffering from severe morning sickness while pregnant with Princess Charlotte.