The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life this yearGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailAs Prince Harry turns 40, he is starting to soften his stance on the rift that saw him leave the royal family, according to reports.The Duke of Sussex is understood to feel he has “said his piece”, and now fav­ours a less combative approach with it remaining unseen whether Buckingham Palace will publicly acknowledge his birthday on Sunday.Two new YouGov polls commissioned by The Times on both sides of the Atlantic show Harry is far more popular in the US than in the UK.It comes as Harry spoke of his excitement at turning 40 on Sunday, with plans to head away on a break with his closest friends. He told the BBC: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”The Duke of Sussex added becoming a father to his two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, had given him a “fresh perspective on life” and made him more committed to making the world a better place. Key PointsShow latest update 1726342258Harry more popular than King Charles in US as he turns 40Two new YouGov polls commissioned by The Times show that 49 per cent of Americans had a positive view of Harry, with 24 per cent reporting a negative view. This makes him more popular than his father King Charles, just with 38 per cent of Americans having a positive view of Charles, compared with 33 per cent with a negative view.Harry’s polling in the US even placed him ahead of the Princess of Wales, for whom 43 per cent of people said they had a positive view. Britain Prince Harry Turning 40 (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)Barney Davis14 September 2024 20:301726336858Prince Harry doesn’t plan to update Spare as he looks to heal rift with royal familyIt has been reported by the Times that Prince Harry’s 400-page memoir, Spare, will not be updated when it is released in paperback next month, and there are no interviews planned to promote it. (Getty Images)Barney Davis14 September 2024 19:001726332012Prince of Wales makes surprise visit to helicopter baseThe Prince of Wales surprised helicopter staff on Friday after making an unannounced visit to a base in Oxfordshire.Prince William, 42, turned up at the official opening of the new Airbus Helicopters headquarters at Oxford Airport, the PA news agency understands.His appearance was not announced in advance and it is understood he was there in a private capacity.According to The Telegraph newspaper, he was invited by Airbus because of his connection with London Air Ambulance, of which he is a patron.(PA Wire)Barney Davis14 September 2024 17:401726328400Inside the court of King CharlesRoyal biographer Hugo Vickers reveals how Charles handled the explosive family dramas of Harry and Andrew – and wasted no time stepping out of the shadows to forge his own legacy:A modern monarch in a hurry – inside the court of King Charles He’s passionate, prone to mood swings and, says the writer who knows the royal family better than anyone, reliant on a coterie of powerful media advisers. A year on from taking the crown in the wake of the Queen’s death, Hugo Vickers reveals how Charles handled the explosive family dramas of Harry and Andrew – and wasted no time stepping out of the shadows to forge his own legacy Barney Davis14 September 2024 16:401726324858Princess Diana’s nickname for Prince Harry resurfaces ahead of 40th birthdayThe late Princess Diana’s adorable nickname for her son Harry has remerged on social media as the Duke of Sussex edges closer to turning 40.A TikTok video shared by Tyla, a sister brand of LadBible, revealed Diana fondly referred to her younger son as ‘My little Spencer’.The Duke of Sussex opened up about dealing with his mother’s death as he urged children not to “suppress” their emotions as he once did.Prince Harry, 39, was just 12 when his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris.During the 20th anniversary year of the death of the Princess of Wales, Harry opened up in a newspaper interview, saying he spent nearly 20 years “not thinking” about his mother’s death and eventually got help after two years of “total chaos”.Britain Prince Harry (1987 AP)Barney Davis14 September 2024 15:401726321055Meghan Markle branded ‘Duchess Difficult’ by staff who claim she makes ‘grown men cry’ – reportThe Duchess of Sussex, 43, has been accused of being demeaning with staff and causing “grown men to cry”, by a report from the United States.The Hollywood Reporter added that “noisy tantrums and angry 5am emails” had earned Meghan the title of “Duchess Difficult”. One source said she is “absolutely relentless”, adding: “She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders.”The same source claimed: “I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears.” The past 10 years have been a period of upheaval for Harry and his wife Meghan who, after struggling behind the scenes with royal life, stepped down as working royals and moved to America for financial and personal freedom.The couple appear content with their lives in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California where they have established a new life for themselves and their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.Harry and Meghan’s current spokesperson declined to comment on the Hollywood Reporter story. Barney Davis14 September 2024 14:371726317395King Charles’ birthday olive branch to Prince Harry as he turns 40King Charles is set to reach out to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday in a very modern break with tradition, according to reports.Speaking to the Daily Express, a “well-placed” source said that the King plans to catch his son, now in California, with a call on Skype organised by staff as soon as he wakes up. The insider said: “The King will reach out to Harry on his birthday. Although the family are not as close as they once were, there is still a lot of love there. “They tend to use Skype when they communicate because they can see each other and it’s all set up by staff so it runs smoothly.”Barney Davis14 September 2024 13:361726311660Prince Harry’s unusual birthday treatNew details have emerged about Prince Harry’s alleged birthday getaway with friends in California.The Duke of Sussex, 39, will celebrate his milestone 40th birthday on Sunday (15 September) and is said to be having a low key celebration with his family.“The Cold Spring Trail has lots of streams and pools which people regularly take a dip in,” they said. “But there are also lots of snakes and other wildlife to contend with, like large cats.“Harry and his friends will truly experience the outdoors as they take on one of the long hikes. Let’s hope he’s taking an experienced guide with him.”Prince Harry turns 40 on Sunday (15 September). (Sport Gives Back Awards via Gett)Barney Davis14 September 2024 12:011726308600Harry will ‘involve’ King Charles in 40th birthday celebrationsAn insider has claimed that Prince Harry will involve King Charles in his 40th birthday celebrations this weekend despite his strained relationship with the royal family.The insider told News International: “Harry could send a video of Archie and Lilibet’s celebrations to King Charles.”Another source added: “King Charles still loves his estranged son even after Harry’s claims against the royal family. He will send a private message to the Duke on his big day.” The duke is reported to be having a “low key” celebration with his family in California on the big day itself (15 September) before enjoying a “weekend getaway” with friends.Prince Harry’s birthday will be acknowledged by King Charles, an insider has claimed. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)Barney Davis14 September 2024 11:101726305806‘I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40’ Prince Harry celebrates landmark on SundayThe Duke of Sussex has said becoming a father has given him a fresh perspective on life as he turns 40 tomorrow.In a statement, Prince Harry said: “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world”.He added: “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” the prince said in a statement released by his spokesperson.“Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”He plans to celebrate his 40th birthday on Sunday with his family in California, before heading off on a break with a group of his closest friends.Barney Davis14 September 2024 10:23