Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan may have been living abroad for nearly a year now but the couple are still making sure special family milestones aren’t going unnoticed – even from afar.
As the Sussexes’ sister-in-law Duchess Catherine rung in her 39th birthday last week on January 9, a new report from US Weekly reveals the pair, who share 20-month-old son Archie, delighted Kate with a sweet birthday surprise.
Following a series of voice calls with loved ones, including her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her grandmother-in-law The Queen, the outlet claims Kate was “taken aback” when she was given a “thoughtful card and some gifts from Harry and Meghan, who are currently based in Santa Barbara in Los Angeles.
“It was a nice surprise. Kate wasn’t expecting anything from the couple,” the insider told the publication of Harry and Meghan’s lovely gesture.
And they weren’t the only ones making sure the Duchess’ 39th lockdown birthday was a day to remember.
US Weekly also reports Prince William “showered” his wife with presents, including gifting her with a pair of stunning diamond and sapphire earrings, which Kate “loves.”
Indeed while Harry and Meghan’s birthday surprise may seem small, it indicates the couple’s efforts to mend the rift between the royal families.
“It was a nice surprise. Kate wasn’t expecting anything from the couple.”
(Image: Getty)According to the respected royal commentator Katie Nicholl, things went “badly” between the brothers after William tried to warn Harry over how fast his romance with the American actress was progressing.
“William was concerned about how quickly the relationship had moved and wanted to make sure that Harry was making the right decision,” Nicholl has said in the past.
“What was intended as well-meaning, brotherly concern and a bit of advice went down quite badly with Harry, who felt William wasn’t being as supportive as he might have been.”
The formerly feuding royal brothers reportedly reconnected over the festive period.
(Image: Getty)Despite the brothers’ robust relationship and testing times over the years, Nicholl believes the pair are working towards a reconciliation and reconnected over the festive season.
“There were phone and video calls over Christmas and New Year holiday and the Sussexes sent presents to the Cambridges and vice versa,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
“It was an opportunity in an otherwise very busy and chaotic year for both families to come together and connect, albeit virtually.”
As the UK remains in a strict lockdown, the mother-of-three spent the day at her quiet country abode Anmer Hall in Norfolk with husband Prince William and their three young children, Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six and Prince Louis, two.
As the UK remains in a strict lockdown, Kate rung in her 39th birthday from their Anmer Home residence in Windsor with her husband and three children.
(Image: Getty)Vanity Fair revealed that presents and fan mail was re-directed to Anmer Hall for Kate to enjoy.
On top of that, William reportedly had a series of surprises lined up for his wife on her special day, family video calls being one of them.
Usually, we also see a new picture of the Duchess to mark her birthday, but slightly unusually this year, Kensington Palace instead posted a picture snapped of a masked-up Kate when she was on her train tour of the UK shortly before Christmas last year.
“Thank you for your kind wishes on The Duchess’ birthday,” the caption read.
“Birthdays have been very different in recent months, and our thoughts continue to be with all those working on the front line at this hugely challenging time.”
