Prince Harry's birthday celebrations in UK 'could involve relative', biographer claims

Prince Harry's birthday celebrations in UK 'could involve relative', biographer claims Prince Harry is set to mark his 42nd birthday in the UK, having returned to the country from six years abroad Prince Harry is enjoying his first birthday back in the UK for four years – but this is unlikely to be like any of his previous 41 celebrations. The Duke of Sussex and wife Meghan Markle announced their shock return to the country earlier this month, along with children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Concerns over their security continue to be a talking point, one which led to the couple switching schools of their children this week. But how will the one-time Californian man be celebrating his 42nd birthday today? We take a look at the one relative that might join him, what his life in his rumoured new home in the Cotswolds is like and a new circle of friends he could celebrate with. Celebrating with family? Royal biographer Andrew Lownie believes Harry could spend the occasion with the brother of Princess Diana – Charles Spencer. He told us: "Harry is certainly close to the Spencer family and there's a strong possibility he will see them over his birthday if he does not simply spend it with his immediate family." Harry and Charles have maintained a close relationship despite the former's six years away from the UK. When Harry returned to the UK for a special service at St. Paul's Cathedral to mark the anniversary of the Invictus Games, Earl Spencer was notably in attendance to show his support. In Spare, Harry fondly recounted the emotional milestone of taking Meghan to Althorp (the Spencer estate) to visit Diana's island grave for the first time. He noted that his Charles and his two aunts were there to greet them and even helped push their small boat into the water. And it has even been suggested that Earl Spencer enthusiastically supported the idea of Harry's family adopting the "Spencer" surname when they were facing friction over titles and passports for their children, Archie and Lilibet. Birthday in the Cotswolds The Sussexes are said to have settled in the picturesque, celebrity-laden region of the Cotswolds. If Meghan's receent Instagram activity is anything to go by, the move has been a success. She celebrated her new life in the UK with images of their children Archie and Lilibet enjoying themselves on a country walk and Harry fishing on a boat. Their black Labrador retriever Pula scampering around in the background. For security reasons, Harry and Meghan's home in the region has not been revealed. But there are plenty of options for Harry to celebrate in the region with family. His childhood home of Highgrove House, owned by dad King Charles, is located near Tetbury in Gloucestershire. Harry's aunt Princess Anne and cousin Zara Tindall – who he was once close with – live on the Gatcombe Park estate in the same county. But the chances of joining such relatives for birthday celebrations are slim. Tensions seemed to flare up again last week after a damning briefing war between Harry and Charles. And Anne famously gave a brutal response to the Sussexes' decision to quit the Royal Family back in 2020. Unless Harry spends time with Earl Spencer, then, he could instead turn to his new circle of friends. New friendship circle Should he choose to mark his birthday with friends, Harry has a solid circle to draw upon, including the likes of JJ Chalmers - a former Royal Marine turned television presenter. Recognised for his work on The One Show and BBC Breakfast, as well as his stint on the dance floor during Strictly Come Dancing's 18th series. JJ suffered severe injuries in a 2011 IED explosion in Afghanistan and has previously served as a trustee of the Invictus Games, the international sporting event for wounded servicemen and women that Harry established in 2014. Alexandra "Tiggy" Pettifer, widely known by her maiden name Tiggy Legge-Bourke, is also thought to be part of Harry and Meghan's British social circle. Harry is godfather to Tiggy's two sons, Tom and Fred, and the former royal nanny is understood to share a warm relationship with Meghan. Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank are known to maintain close ties with Harry and Meghan, keeping a holiday home near the couple's property, and they could well be among the first visitors to Harry and Meghan's 83-acre Oxfordshire estate. Royal engagements There will be no interruptions from royal duties over the Duke's birthday, given the Palace has made it abundantly clear that they will not return to their roles as "working royals." However, Andrew Lownie predicts their royal links remain unavoidable. Andrew tells us: "Even if they don't use their titles - which are in abeyance - they are still seen as royal by many and they will capitalise on that." He added: "There is a real danger of two courts and the Sussexes constantly upstaging other royals which will be very destabilising for the monarchy. "It's early days and the couple may stay under the radar and try and build bridges with the Royal Family and the public," Andrew concluded, "but every sign is that they have merely decided that Britain presents more commercial opportunities than America and it is business as usual."