Buckingham Palace’sbirthday tributetoPrince Harrystirred some unexpected speculation, with the internet asking one question: WasMeghan Marklecropped out of the photo?
Thebirthday tributemarked the first time in three years that the British royal family publicly recognized the Duke of Sussex’s birthday on social media afterKing Charles’ introduction of a new protocol that restricted birthday posts on social media to feature only active working royals in 2020.
HighlightsBuckingham Palace’s birthday tribute to Prince Harry sparked speculation about whether Meghan Markle was cropped out.This was the first time in three years that the royal family publicly recognized Prince Harry’s birthday on social media.Some social media users believed the photo choice confirmed ongoing animosity towards the Duchess of Sussex.Buckingham Palace clarified that the image used was not altered and was received in that format.
In honor of Prince Harry celebrating his 40th birthday on September 15, Sunday, the British royal family shared a solo shot of him on social media.
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The British royal family shared a birthday tribute forPrince Harryfor the first time in three years
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Image credits:The Royal Family / Instagram
The photo chosen was from the prince’s visit to Ireland in 2018.
Meghan, 43, had also accompanied him on the trip, which was their first overseas visit together just two months aftertheir royal weddingin May the same year.
The then-newlyweds had stopped at Dogpatch Labs while in Dublin, which was where the recently shared birthday photo was taken.
“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” Buckingham Palace said as the Duke of Sussex celebrated his milestone birthday on September 15
Social media users speculated whether theSuitsactresswas deliberately cropped out. Some even thought this confirmed “the hatred they continue to have for Meghan.”
The internet speculated whether Meghan Markle was deliberately cropped out of the picture, but the palace confirmed that they used the photograph without any alteration
Charles and William both wish Harry a happy birthday – but use photo in which Meghan is cropped outpic.twitter.com/fnQnkrzpC2
— CJN (@RoyalNicla)September 16, 2024
“Tens of thousands of photos of Harry, and the Royal Family picked one that they cropped #MeghanMarkle out of. Well played, Royal-well played,” one social media user wrote.
“So much for the so called ‘Olive branch’ – Birthday greeting – to Harry on his 40th from Charles and the Royal Family,” said another. “Look who’s cropped out of the photo? Confirms the hatred they continue to have for Meghan. She was right all along.”
The palace soon stepped in to set the record straight.
A spokesperson for the Buckingham Palace confirmed toIndependentthat the image used was not altered, and they had used the photograph in the received format.
Seen as the rogue royals, Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020 and have since made several bombshell claims against the monarchy
“Happy Birthday to the kindest, funniest, most relatable royal,” said one fan of the Duke of Sussex while another wished, “Happy 40th Birthday Harry, I really wish you all the love joy and happiness on your special day.”
Others criticized him in light of his departure from the royal family, with one saying he is, “A hateful man who’streated his family abominably. We will never forgive how he treated Prince Philip and the Late Queen in their final weeks.”
“Not a working Royal – and actually a very divisive figure for many British family,” said another. “Look forward to @RoyalFamily now marking other non-working Royal Family member birthdays, for consistency.”
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