Prince celebrates his 39th with no Royal acknowledgment

Royals ‘snub’ Harry’s birthday: Prince celebrates his 39th with his Invictus Games ‘family’ – as the official Palace social media accounts spend day posting about Charles, William, Kate and Sophie with NO mention of Duke

  • Prince Harry celebrated his 39th birthday at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf
  • Crowd sang happy birthday – as the Royals appeared to ‘snub’ Harry’s big day

The schism between Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family was laid bare today after the Palace appeared to snub the Duke of Sussex’s birthday celebrations by failing to publicly acknowledge his 39th. 

As athletes at the Invictus Games in Germany serenaded the prince with renditions of ‘Happy Birthday’ and inundated him with gifts – good wishes were notably absent from the monarchy’s official social media accounts. 

The palace’s official social media accounts instead spent all day posting about King Charles, Prince William, Princess Kate, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh – without mentioning Prince Harry once. 

The Mail also understands that Harry, accompanied by his wife, Meghan, will fly back to the US this weekend without seeing his estranged family.

King Charles will be in Scotland and there are no plans for the couple to join him. Prince William hasn’t spoken to his estranged brother for many months.

The Duke of Sussex also failed to visit his family during his stop-over in the UK en route to the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, when he stayed overnight in Britain to attend a charity event.

The following morning Prince harry visited Queen Elizabeth’s grave at Windsor alone on the first anniversary of his grandmother’s death.

Buckingham Palace has indicated that the Royal Family now only sends public birthday wishes to those who are senior working members. 

Prince Harry sang a rendition of Happy Birthday at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf as the Royal Family failed to acknowledge the Duke of Sussex’s 39th

The Royal Family’s official Twitter account spent Harry’s 39th birthday posting about King Charles’ visit to Kinross, in Scotland

The monarchy’s official account posted about King Charles’s visit to the Kinross Day Centre 

The Royal Family’s social media accounts spent all day posting about Prince William and Princess Kate without mentioning the Duke of Sussex once

The Royal Family’s official Twitter account even posted about the Duchess of Sussex without acknowledging Harry’s 39th birthday

The Royal Family’s official twitter account posted about the Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit to Wiltshire where she heard about equine therapy at Gul Outdoor Therapy Centre

The Prince and Princess of Wales were also mentioned on the Royal Family’s account following their visit to Madley Primary School’s Forest School

The monarchy’s social media account praised the welcome the King received in Kinross

The Royal Family’s Twitter account posted about King Charles’s meeting with representatives of Broke Not Broken 

Prince Harry (right) and Megan Markle (left) celebrated the Duke’s 39th at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met athletes at the Team Canada Reception at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the IG25 and Team Canada Reception at the Hilton Hotel during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany

The Duke of Sussex’s birthday celebration came as he attended the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, where he watched a sitting volleyball match after a night of revelry drinking German beers and eating traditional food such as sausages, schnitzel and pork knuckle. 

Despite the late night out, the birthday boy looked fresh-faced as he arrived at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

After Harry and Meghan took their seats in the stands, the stadium announcer asked the crowd: ‘Is there anybody here celebrating their own special occasion today? Anyone’s birthday? Oh I think it is someone’s birthday. A certain Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, 39 today. Happy birthday! Let’s sing along.’ 

The crowd then joined in as Harry clapped along and smiled next to the duchess – before he mouthed ‘thank you’ to the spectators.

Harry was later presented with a birthday cake by the Mayor of Dusseldorf, Dr Stephen Keller. The cake was in the colours of the Invictus Games with the words: ‘Happy Birthday Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.’

Prince Harry washed down bratwurst sausages and wiener schnitzel with six beers but his wife stuck to one small lager at restaurant Im Goldenen Kessel last night. 

Harry famously went teetotal and abandoned caffeine when Meghan was pregnant with Archie, dumping beer, tea and coffee for green juices. In 2018 he raised a glass of water while everyone else was drinking champagne in solidarity with his wife. He also quit smoking. But based on last night he is firmly back on the booze. 

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

Harry puts a hand on his wife’s shoulder as they arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena this morning

Harry was presented with a birthday cake by the Mayor of Dusseldorf, Dr Stephen Keller

Harry and Meghan laugh and wave to well-wishers

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Merkur Spiel-Arena for the Invictus Games today


Meghan was very animated courtside this morning, applauding as she watched the game

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

Prince Harry puts his thumbs up to the crowd at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through the Invictus Games area in Dusseldorf today

The Duke of Sussex applauds at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

They also greeted fans and athletes, shaking hands with them at the game

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose with the Polish sitting volleyball team today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marched through the Invictus Games area in Dusseldorf today

The Duchess of Sussex poses for a selfie in Dusseldorf today

Meghan was on the march today as she took part in a medal ceremony.

She was perfectly in step with a military officer as she walked to the presentation ceremony in front of a cheering crowd.

READ MORE Inside Harry’s VERY German 39th birthday party with Meghan where Duke drank six ‘small’ beers (and his wife had one) 

A large crowd cheered as she took each step perfectly in time and level with the officer.

Prince Harry also took part in a ceremony and showed he had not forgotten how to march in step.

As he came to a halt, he did a smart parade ground turn and stamped his feet – showing he had not forgotten his training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

In blazing sunshine Meghan walked perfectly in step with a Naval officer holding the three medals to be presented for cycling event.

She gave a broad smile as she walked slowly making sure to stay in step with the practised military officer.

Harry followed minutes later and looked comfortable marching along and was full of smiles.

He presented the gold medal for a time trial event to Dave Jarvis from Team UK. He was draped in a Scottish flag partly covering his kilt.

Harry noticed Jarvis’s wife Stephanie weeping with emotion at the side of track with her daughter Sophia.

He attempted to pull the metal safety barrier aside and when that did not work leant over and lifted the four-year-old over and handed her to her father.

As the family hugged, Harry picked up the blue and white Saltire and draped it round the family.

Stephanie revealed she shared the same birthday with Prince Harry and was presented with a necklace by her husband.

Stephanie, from the North East of Scotland, said:’ This is very emotional for us.’

Meghan presented the gold medal to James Rogers, the captain of Team UK.

He was wildly cheered by the large British contingent in the crowd who shouted out: ‘Well done, skipper.’

Meghan and Harry continued to be treated as rock stars as they went on a brief walkabout.

One man called Harry over to have his photo taken, but then shouted out for Meghan.

She obliged and Harry even took off his sunglasses as the pair continued their charm offensive.

The Sussexes are whisked around on a golf cart on Day Six of the games

Harry smiles and does a jaunty walk as he clutches Meghan’s hand

Harry hugs a competitor at the cycling medal ceremony

Meghan knelt to speak to a member of Team France

The Sussexes spoke animatedly as they arrived today

Harry and Meghan were enjoying another day of Invictus sports today

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the sitting volleyball match between Poland and Germany

Harry was again getting in on the action and yelling from the stands

Harry, accompanied by Meghan and a dozen of his support team, last night made a secret visit to a popular restaurant in the old town of Dusseldorf.

The Duke, who is 39 today, sank six glasses of the Alt Schumacher beer as he celebrated not only his birthday but the success so far of the Invictus Games. 

His party dined on local delicacies such as Wiener Schnitzel, sausage and pork knuckle.

Harry was also presented with white chocolate which he took back to his hotel and shared with his team. Meghan had only sipped a single beer during the evening.

For her latest appearance today, Meghan wore a Zara jumpsuit Celine Blazer and Saint Laurent Sandals and had a purse from the Cesta range made in Rwanda .

The couple watched a sitting volleyball match between hosts Germany and Poland.

The Polish team mobbed Harry after the game and sang happy birthday again.

With Meghan he posed for numerous selfies before leaving where they were greeted with screams of ‘We love you, Meghan’ from a group of excited teenagers.

The group had rushed down from the stands to try to get close to the Duchess as she left.

Lina Dettling, 15, said: ‘We love Meghan. She is so pretty and we just wanted to see her.’

Kerlos Yosif, 15, added: ‘We are excited to see Harry and Meghan. To us they are like popstars . They do so much good.’

The teenagers were among hundreds of students given the day off from school to attend the games.

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duchess of Sussex watches sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duchess of Sussex walks through the Invictus Games area in Dusseldorf today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duchess of Sussex applauds while watching sitting volleyball in Dusseldorf today

Later, Harry and Meghan hitched a ride on a golf buggy to take them to the road cycling event.

Last night, Harry partied with Meghan in a traditional German bar in Dusseldorf with friends where he washed down bratwurst sausage and wiener schnitzel with six beers.

Bar staff said the royals were ‘lovely’ and left a ‘big tip’ as they enjoyed plates piled high with red cabbage and mashed potato. While Harry celebrated with six half-pints, his wife stuck to just one small drink.

Diners at the Im Goldenen Kessel restaurant and bar were asked not to take pictures but said they saw the prince laughing and joking as the food arrived at his table. He also looked thrilled when a birthday cake arrived at the end of the meal.

He and Meghan posed for photographs with the owner of the restaurant Thea Ungermann and head waiter Frank Wackers who has worked at the restaurant for 38 years.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet a little girl at the Merkur Spiel-Arena this morning

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through the Invictus Games area in Dusseldorf today

The Duke and Duchess speak to a spectator at the  sitting volleyball at the games today

Harry and Meghan with the sitting volleyball team from Poland at the games today 

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duchess of Sussex hugs a competitor at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

Prince Harry shouts as Meghan applauds at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

Ms Ungermann told MailOnline: ‘Harry was a lovely man and was having a very jolly time. Meghan was lovely.’

Meghan stuck with the white skinny jeans she wore to watch the volleyball match yesterday. She paired it with a red and white pinstriped shirt and nude ballet pumps. Meanwhile Harry wore dark jeans and a grey top.

During his meal, Harry was presented with a birthday cake by staff at the restaurant, based in Dusseldorf’s old town.

He and his party took up two tables at the restaurant, which is part of the Schumacher brewery, and were served their food and beer by Mr Wackers.

Mr Wackers told MailOnline that Harry had six small beers – about half a pint rather than the litre-sized beers most German breweries serve.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duke of Sussex as fans sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duchess of Sussex arrives with an aide for the Invictus Games event this morning

The Duke of Sussex as fans sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Merkur Spiel-Arena for the Invictus Games today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duchess of Sussex arrives with an aide for the Invictus Games event this morning

He said the group were served Wiener Schnitzel, pork knuckle, sausage and plates of roast and mashed potato.

Mr Wackers said: ‘They were very happy. He is a lovely man, and they were so nice.’

He also joked that Harry’s bodyguard asked what was the beer like. ‘He said that he would kill me if the beer was bad, but I know he was joking.’

Aides and staff sang Happy Birthday as the restaurant presented Harry with a white chocolate cake.

After tucking in, the party then walked back to their waiting cars in the cobbled Altstadt area of the city.

A source close to the prince said: ‘They drank local beer and ate family style dishes to experience a true German meal. Everyone was incredibly friendly, especially the waiters pictured in the photograph online.

The Duke of Sussex applauds to the crowd at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duchess of Sussex watches on at the Merkur Spiel-Arena for the Invictus Games today

The Duke and Duchess applaud the crowd at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today 

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Merkur Spiel-Arena for the Invictus Games today

‘They did not dine in a private space and were in joyful spirits, toasting and laughing with the team.

After dinner, the group headed back to the hotel to sing Happy Birthday and eat cake just shy of midnight.’

The owner of the restaurant said Harry picked up the bill and left a big tip for the staff.

The restaurant is attached to the Schumacher brewery, one of two popular venues in Dusseldorf.

Both Ms Ungermann and the head waiter speak fluent English so were able to take Harry and Meghan’s orders without needing to translate them into German.

Harry and his party had driven from their hotel in the Media Harbour of the city and were dropped off by a pedestrian area.

Prince Harry and Meghan in the stands for sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Merkur Spiel-Arena for the Invictus Games today

Prince Harry and Meghan watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

They walked the 50 yards to the restaurant past other bars before occupying two tables in a raised section of the restaurant which is next door to a McDonalds.

The party drank the locally brewed beer called Alt Schumacher which is also served at the Merkur Spiel-Arena where the Invictus Games are held.

Ms Ungermann said: ‘The couple were very relaxed, they drank our beer, Schumacher Alt – it’s the same beer they are serving at the Invictus Games.

‘Harry and Meghan sat next to each other during the meal. I had goosebumps when they walked into the restaurant, I had watched his speech on the stage at the Invictus Games and couldn’t believe he was in my restaurant. Prince Harry was so lovely and gave me a hug.’

The restaurant posted the group photo of Harry and Meghan with staff on their social media.

Harry is thought to have had an early 39th party because he will be busy with events at the games today.

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