Prince Harry axed from photo shared by Prince Charles to celebrate Prince William's birthday

Eagle-eyed royalists have noticed Prince Harry is noticeably absent from a photo shared by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles for Prince William's birthday. 

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall shared a series of snaps on social media to wish William a happy 39th birthday, but one image of the trio at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Invictus Games leaves Harry out - despite the fact he was seated next to his father at the event. 

Other photos from the ceremony show Harry and Charles laughing and chatting alongside Camilla and William, who appear to be sharing their own joke in between bursts of applause. 

While some fans were convinced the photo was a purposeful snub from the royal family, others felt that they were simply focusing on William for his birthday. 

Other photos from the 2014 Invictus Games opening ceremony show Harry laughing along with his family.
Other photos from the 2014 Invictus Games opening ceremony show Harry laughing along with his family. Photo credit: Getty

"I don't expect many will immediately recognize the event from the second photo…but I did…" one Twitter user wrote. 

"That is the opening of 1st Invictus Games in 2014. Prince Harry is sitting just out of the photo to the right of Charles.

"Interesting to choose an important moment for Harry to celebrate the other brother," they added, referring to the fact the Invictus Games were founded by Harry. 

Other social media commentators were more perturbed by the fact William was pictured alongside Camilla rather than his late mother, Princess Diana. 

Harry and William were seen together for the first time in over a year at the funeral for their grandfather Prince Philip in April. In his bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry said he and his brother were taking "space" to "heal" their relationship amid a well-publicised rift. 

The siblings are expected to appear together again next week, when they will unveil a statue in honour of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday.