Prince Harry's subtle response to William's birthday olive branch hints at complex Royal relations

An olive branch was extended to the Duke of Sussex by his brother and sister-in-law Prince William and Princess Catherine as they wished him a happy 40th birthday last month

A Royal expert believes that the Princess of Wales has convinced her husband that "life is too short to bear grudges forever", following her completion of chemotherapy six months after revealing her cancer diagnosis. This comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with King Charles III, wished Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday on their social media platforms on September 15. Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK! about the olive branch extended by Prince William and Princess Catherine: "I think he would have been pleased...and maybe, just maybe, he picked up the phone to call his father in response. Or perhaps the King contacted him with a more personal birthday greeting than the formal wishes on social media."

However, she added: "I still think things are too sensitive for a meaningful reconciliation with William, but the fact that he and Catherine authorised the greeting to be posted is definitely an unexpected turn of events. I don't think we should hold our breath for the step to really signal the start of a reconciliation, but it was an unexpected turn of events," reports OK!. Jennie explained how she believes William has been "doing some re-evaluation". She said: "My gut feeling is that Catherine has been influential in this slight softening of her husband's implacable stand against Harry."

"In the moving film she made about the end of her chemotherapy treatment, she spoke about how cancer had given her a new perspective. What clearly matters to her more than anything now is family, and loving and being loved. Perhaps she has persuaded William that life is too short to bear grudges forever."

The Royal Family's own website sending birthday wishes has sparked talks about mending fences between Harry and Charles, suggested Jennie.

She reckoned: "It really is the duty of the parent to be the bigger person when things go wrong. But this is only a very tentative first step in what is an extremely complicated and sensitive situation."

"I still believe that the relationship between the brothers is almost irretrievable."

"William has so much on his plate at the moment that I don't think he has room in his heart or head to deal with all that has gone on with Harry."

"While the brothers may never be close again, or even live on the same continent, it doesn't mean that the future has to be full of bitterness and bad blood. Catherine is right. Family should always be paramount."