The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have remained silent on social media as the Royal Family rallied around King Charles to mark his 78th birthday on Saturday, November 14.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not issued a public birthday message to the monarch, while senior members of the Royal Family and royal estates shared tributes online. The Sussexes, who moved back to the UK with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in August, kept their digital channels quiet.
Meghan's social media silence
The Duchess's silence is notable given her use of her personal Instagram account (@meghan) to celebrate family milestones, including a tribute for Harry's 42nd birthday on September 15. Weeks after moving to the Cotswolds, she shared a montage of family photographs, including images of Harry kissing Lilibet, skiing and setting up archery balloons with Archie, set to a cover of "Simply the Best". She captioned the post: "He's simply the best. Happy birthday, my love," followed by a red heart.
Since relaunching her Instagram page in early 2025, Meghan has used the platform to mark birthdays for Harry, Archie and Lilibet, as well as anniversaries and holidays, making the absence of any public acknowledgement for the King more noticeable.
Royal tributes and private contact
It remains unknown whether the couple reached out to the King privately via phone or video call. The Prince and Princess of Wales led public well-wishes, reposting a photograph of the King alongside Sir Elton John from his appearance on Apple Music's Rocket Hour, with the message: "Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!" The Sandringham Estate also posted its own tribute: "Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!"
The Sussexes' silence comes amid reports of continued frosty relations within the Royal Family, despite their return to Britain over two months ago. The King enjoyed a private reunion with his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove in July, the first time he had seen them in several years, but tensions appear unresolved.
Family arrangements
Following their return to the UK in August, Buckingham Palace issued a statement clarifying that the couple operate strictly as "private citizens" and do not carry out work on behalf of the monarchy.
According to royal insiders, the Sussexes have not been invited to the King's private birthday celebrations at Clarence House, nor are they expected to join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas. Instead, the couple will remain at their base in the Cotswolds, where Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, is due to join them for the festive season. A friend close to the Duke claimed Harry is "relaxed" about the exclusion and plans to wish his father and brother well over the phone or via video call.
King Charles began his birthday celebrations on Friday by being mobbed by crowds at a Croydon street market and visiting the BRIT School, and is spending the remainder of his 78th birthday privately with Queen Camilla and close family.
