UK media have jumped on a Sunday morning message from the British Royal Family wishing Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, as a sign of a slight thawing in the chill between London and Montecito.

Harry turns 40 today and the Royal Family’s official social media account posted a message, along with a picture of the smiling prince. This is a contrast to last year, when no reference to the prince’s birthday was made. Prior to that, the date had been marked every year.

The Times of London newspaper reports that no personal message from William and Kate, Prince and Princess of Wales, is expected, following a two-year silence between the two brothers. However, King Charles – who is on holiday on Scotland this week – may choose to mark the day with a special mention. Royal reporters’ pens remain poised in the UK for such an occurrence.

Harry did not meet his father on his recent trip to the UK for a family funeral, nor did he speak to his brother William who attended the same service for their uncle by marriage. Harry did see his father in London in February of this year, with a short meeting after a dash from Los Angeles following the King’s announcement that he was being treated for cancer.

The Times reports that some royal insiders feel that bridges need to be built for the sake of the British monarchy. It quotes one royal source commenting: “They have to reach an accommodation. This standoff can’t go on and on. People will get impatient with the fact that nobody’s trying to mend this.”