Prince Harry enjoyed a rare pre-birthday outing with Meghan Markle – just hours before receiving surprise 40th birthday wishes from his royal relatives.

It has emerged that the day before Harry reached his milestone birthday yesterday, he and Meghan had a day out supporting one of the Duchess’s close friends at a poignant event. Snaps posted on Instagram showed they were among those at the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament organised by Kelly McKee Zajfen, George’s mum and Meghan’s close pal.

Tragically, George was just nine when he died after being found unresponsive at the family home in July 2022. A tennis tournament was held on Saturday in his name to raise money for the Alliance for Children’s Rights, which supports pregnant and parenting teenagers in the foster care system in Los Angeles.

In a post on Instagram, Kelly shared a series of images of Harry and Meghan at the event with Harry in a relaxed shirt and Meghan in a mini dress and high heels. She was also seen embracing her friend in a warm hug in another of the shots. And Kelly paid a special tribute to the Sus𝑠e𝑥es in her caption.

She said: “To our Presenting Sponsors, The Archewell Foundation. Harry and Meghan, you have been such a guiding light for our family not just in the way you have shown up in friendship but how you have shown up through the incredible work The Archewell Foundation does every day.

“I’s in awe of your commitment to community and to friendship. On behalf of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, we thank you. On behalf of our family, we love you. Extra special day too…HAPPY 40th Birthday H! May this trip around the sun be the best yet.”

It is known that Meghan has supported her friend Kelly since the tragic death of her young son, with her describing the Duchess as an “incredible friend and mother” and that she is “always the first to say yes and support those you love”. Their outing at the tennis tournament came just hours before Harry’s estranged royal relative sent public birthday wishes to him as he turned 40.

For the first time in three years, the Royal Family account shared a post on X that said simply: “Wishing The Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥 a very happy 40th birthday today!” The message was also accompanied by a picture of a smiling Harry and an emoji of a birthday cake.

Around an hour later, the same post was shared by the Prince and Princess of Waleses’ X account along with the message: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥!” Some will see the post as a surprise move given the unresolved tensions between the brothers, which has shown no sign of abating.

But according to royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward, there was a big reason for the message. She told the Mirror : “King Charles would have celebrated his son’s 40th from a distance. Milestone birthdays are important to the royals. Whatever upsets Harry has caused would have been forgotten for the day.

“Even Prince William wished his brother Happy Birthday – even if it was through clenched teeth. He doesn’t trust him, but together with his family, he wished him the best on his milestone birthday.” Harry was said to be spending his big day yesterday with his wife Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet before embarking on a ‘lads getaway’ to celebrate the milestone.