Harry & Meghan’s Snub Toward Kate Confirmed as ‘Deliberate’ as Sources Reveal if Their Move Was Out of ‘Spite’—’It’s a Line in the Sand’
You always want your family to congratulate you on your birthday. It feels like it’s one of those little things that means a lot. And this is true no matter how famous you are. It certainly seems to be true of royalty, too. And that’s why there’s been so much attention paid to who congratulated Kate Middleton on her birthday on January 9.
Reportedly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not on the list of people who sent congratulations. “Not a peep. It’s deliberate,” a palace source told Rob Shuter. “They’re making it clear they’re done. It’s a line in the sand.”
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Kensington Palace celebrated the Princess of Wales’s birthday with a video, part of Kate’s Mother Nature series. “Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration… I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am,” she said in the voiceover.
According to Shuter, “This birthday wasn’t about fanfare. It’s about her claiming her own peace. She’s sending a message without words: she doesn’t need Meghan and Harry’s approval or drama in her life.” The message was likely recorded long before she knew who would congratulate her on her birthday, though. And a big deal was made about the fact that Princess Eugenie also didn’t post anything on social media about Kate’s birthday.
The source continued, “The Sussexes are still railing in the media, but Kate? She’s calm, grounded, moving forward. It’s a quiet power play.”
Another source close to Harry and Meghan, however, disputed the notion of any kind of snub, instead framing it as a way to keep the spotlight on Middleton. “They really wanted Catherine to have space,” the source said. “This isn’t spite — it’s respect for what she’s been through.”
The gossip journalist even said that the two are on different vibes right now. “It’s like night and day,” one insider said. “She’s choosing peace. They’re still in the arena.”
All of this comes after recent reports that Markle and Middleton might be pushing for a meeting between William and Harry. Reportedly, Markle wants a “clear-the-air” meeting with Middleton as part of the efforts to get Prince Harry and Prince William to mend their relationship, according to RadarOnline.com. “Meghan has asked her people to reach out to Kate and organize a call. She hopes this will be the first step towards reconciliation,” an insider said.
RadarOnline.com also reported last year that William has agreed to meet with Harry for the first time in nearly three years. “William’s willing to meet Harry, but only if everything happens strictly on his terms. That means no Meghan, no aides, and zero chance of it ending up as content for a documentary or book. He’s deeply wary of being secretly recorded or having his words twisted – the trust between them is completely gone. Harry will basically face being frisked before they talk,” a royal insider said.
Will 2026 bring about a reconciliation? We’ll have to wait and see.
