Prince Harry is approaching his 40th birthday this weekend and has chosen to mark the occasion with understated festivities. The Duke of Sussex will celebrate his milestone on September 15 at his $14.7 million residence in Montecito, California, which he shares with his wife, Meghan Markle. According to HELLO! Magazine, the celebration will be an intimate affair, attended only by his closest friends and family.
Prince Harry is expected to mark his 40th birthday with a private gathering at his Montecito residence, joined by Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie, age five, and Princess Lilibet, age three. Following the celebration at home, he will embark on a ‘weekend getaway’ in the mountains with his closest friends to commemorate the beginning of his fifth decade, as reported by the magazine.
One of the Duke’s long-time friends shared with HELLO!: “He now has more time to address things at his own pace. Both he and Meghan are not constrained by deadlines—they are operating entirely on their own terms.”
This represents a significant shift from Harry’s 30th birthday celebration a decade ago, which featured a black-tie event at Clarence House attended by his elder brother, Prince William.
Today, Harry leads a more subdued life in the upscale neighborhood of Montecito, known for its celebrity residents, including Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry. Other notable figures with properties in the area include Ellen DeGeneres, Steve Martin, Jennifer Aniston, Ariana Grande, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rob Lowe.
Reports suggest that Harry often rides his bike with a security team following in a Range Rover or walks his dog alone on the beach. Additionally, he spends time working at his desk, engaging in Zoom calls with charities and his team, or discussing potential trips with Meghan. His daily routine includes a lengthy meditation session and frequent workouts with a personal trainer.
Local residents and neighbors have told The Daily Telegraph that the couple’s presence is infrequent, particularly Harry’s.
A local resident commented: “They keep to themselves. I haven’t seen Harry much. When he is around, he’s usually walking his Labrador on the beach or riding his bicycle with security following in a Range Rover.”
In contrast, Meghan has reportedly integrated more into the community. She has joined a local mahjong group, engages with locals during her outings, and has formed connections with other celebrity residents, such as Ellen DeGeneres, who shares Meghan’s interest in chickens.
The Sussexes do venture out together occasionally. They enjoy date nights at the local steakhouse, Lucky’s, and dine at Tre Lune, where a margherita pizza costs $24 and spaghetti and meatballs is priced at $35.
Harry’s previous birthdays have been marked by significant events and personal challenges. In his autobiography Spare, he reflected on his 13th birthday, noting the profound impact of his mother’s death: “She’ll be back. She has to be. It’s my birthday in two weeks.”
He described shooting his first stag at Balmoral on his 15th birthday, having a subdued 20th birthday while preparing for Sandhurst, and a more celebratory 25th birthday with cake and cocktails in Botswana. At 28, he was a soldier under Taliban fire at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
As Prince Harry approached his 30th birthday, he had recently exited the army, ended his relationship with Cressida Bonas, and launched the inaugural Invictus Games. In contrast to his planned low-key 40th celebration, his 30th was marked by a glamorous black-tie party at Clarence House, hosted by his brother, Prince William. At the event, 30 of Harry’s closest friends toasted with Highgrove champagne provided by their father. This celebration was not mentioned in Harry’s autobiography Spare.
This year, the Sussexes have completed two semi-royal tours to Nigeria and Colombia and are reportedly planning a third trip. They have been encouraged by the success of these tours and are considering destinations such as Lesotho and Botswana, where Harry’s charity Sentebale operates. The Duke last visited these countries in 2019.
An insider remarked to HELLO!: “That’s his world, that’s what he’s used to and that’s what he knows. He can still add value.
