Prince and Princess of Wales post a tweet praising a rhino documentary as it is nominated for an award – but make no mention of Meghan Markle’s 42nd birthday

The Prince of Princess of Wales have posted a sweet message on social media this afternoon – but it has nothing to do with their sister-in-law’s birthday.

Princess Kate and Prince William, both 41, used their Kensington Royal Twitter account and their joint Instagram page to praise the documentary team behind the film Rhino Man, which has been shortlisted for a Jackson Wild Media Award.

But as Meghan Markle celebrates her 42nd birthday, there has so far been no mention of the occasion, in an approach that differs from recent years.

The tweet from the couple read: ‘Congratulations to the RHINO MAN team! Such an important story being told, great to see it being recognised’, with the same sentiment repeated on their Instagram story.

Princess Kate and Prince William, both 41, are understood to have had little contact with their sister-in-law and Prince Harry over the last year, which has seen the Royal Family rocked by the Sussexes’ explosive Netflix documentary and Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare.

The tweet praised the film crew who have been nominated for an award, but have so far made no mention of Meghan’s birthday

The Duke, 38, took aim at the Prince and Princess of Wales in his memoir, detailing an alleged incident in which his older brother knocked him to the ground in a physical fight over Meghan which took place at Frogmore Cottage. 

Relations between Charles and Harry are thought to still not be good after the Duke launched a string of attacks on the Royal Family with his bombshell memoir Spare and a flurry of media interviews to promote the book.

It is believed that contact between Prince William and his brother is non-existent and there doesn’t seem to be a reconciliation in the offing any time soon.

‘You can read the room on that as to where things are [between them],’ said a source.

A rift began to form in the royal family when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the UK to live in California in 2020, shortly before the nation was plunged into lockdown.

Since then, the Sussexes have been somewhat at odds with other members of the family – however the Waleses continued to pay tribute to Meghan on her birthday using their social media channels.

Last year, Kate and William’s Instagram and Twitter accounts posted a photograph of the Duchess of Sussex from the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in June this morning alongside the simple message: ‘Wishing a happy birthday to the Duchess of Sussex!’ 

Shortly afterward, King Charles and Queen Camilla went on to share a similar message and image of the mother of two. 

The images selected by both couples showed Meghan at the Queen’s Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral and didn’t feature her husband, Prince Harry.

The service was the only event from the Queen’s Jubilee the Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly attended. It marked the first time the couple were seen with ‘The Firm’ since the frosty Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2020, shortly before they officially stepped down as senior royals.

However, since Meghan’s 41st birthday, relations have been more strained than ever between the Sussexes and the rest of the family.

In March, two months after the release of Harry’s bombshell memoir, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they had christened their daughter, Princess Lilibet, and celebrated with a party for family and friends at home.

Harry and Meghan invited King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales to the California ceremony last Friday but they declined, a source close to the couple told People magazine.

The Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a date night out in Montecito ahead of her milestone alongside the Duke, 38. The pair were pictured smiling and laughing as they left the trendy Italian restaurant Tre Lune, a favourite among A-listers including Kourtney Kardashian.