King Charles celebrated his 75th birthday last week, enjoying an intimate dinner with close friends and family at Clarence House. As he blew out his birthday candles, he no doubt reflected on a touching surprise that could already have made his dearest birthday wish come true.
In a shock U-turn earlier that day, the estranged Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly made what could be seen as a first attempt at reconciliation by phoning the King to wish him a happy birthday - marking their first conversation in six months.
Prince Harry, 39, and his wife Meghan, 42, who now live in Montecito, California, previously said they had "no contact" from Buckingham Palace regarding an invitation to the evening birthday event, but put any bad feeling aside to wish King Charles well on his special day.
The olive-branch call was said to be "friendly and cordial", and it's believed the monarch also received a recorded video message from Harry and Meghan's children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, leaving him "very emotional".
In typical fashion, the King had insisted his birthday would be a "normal working day", and he chose to spend it by helping to launch a new food charity initiative. Queen Camilla joined him on a visit to a food distribution hub in Oxfordshire to launch his Coronation Food Project, which aims to end food waste.
Having taken time out for the transatlantic call, "the video message proved a real turning point for Charles", a source tells OK!. "He was really quite taken by it. Relations between the King and his son are still very strained, but he would never let that get in the way of having a relationship with his grandchildren, who he hasn't seen for a very long time."
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Create memories you'll cherish forever with a festive family trip to Lapland
Festive breakfasts
A special day calls for a special start level up with one of these indulgent recipes
IS YOUR MIGRAINE SEASONAL?
Certain foods, such as coffee and chocolate, are known to trigger migraines in some people. But there's another possible culprit - the weather!
BEAUTY BUZZ
LAURA MULLEY SHARES THIS ISSUE'S MUST-HAVES, TRENDS & TIPS
'I think playing Shelagh has had an effect on me'
Call The Midwife star Laura Main on spending the festive period with her family, sharing a love of Chris Rea with her mum, and just what her character Shelagh means to her
'There were a lot of tears'
Larry Lamb on the finale of Gavin & Stacey, his close bond with his co-stars and his new interest in farming
'Strictly brought all the joy of dance back into my life'
Actress and wellness guru Tamzin Outhwaite on waltzing into the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and how she's helping busy women cope with stress
'I love our house to be red, green and gold, looking just like Home Alone'
As she invites us into her stylish home, Samantha Faiers shares her myriad of magical festive traditions
'I don't take any of it for granted'
Superstar Hannah Waddingham on her rise to fame and how her talent for singing runs in the family
A right royal Christmas
We take a look at how the royal family will spend their traditional festive holiday at Sandringham and some happy memories from years gone by
