Prince Harry is celebrating his 36th birthday today, and the occasion undoubtedly feels more poignant this year considering he’s now the same age his mom, Princess Diana, was when she tragically passed.
Despite the bittersweet reminder of that loss, Harry is reportedly “happier than ever” as he continues to follow in Diana’s thoughtful and charitable footsteps. He’s also received plenty of well wishes to mark the day, including a cute throwback photo from his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law Kate.
Of course, we couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for all the years we’ve spent watching Harry grow up. From his first appearance in Diana’s arms just a day after he was born to the moment he introduced the world to his own son, Archie Harrison, with wife Meghan, it almost seems like he’s one of our actual relatives.
As we take a look back at some adorable photos, we’re also looking forward to seeing how Harry and his family continue to bring joy into all our lives in the future.
Take a look below to celebrate Prince Harry’s birthday and remember all of his amazing moments over the years.
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Prince Harry made his first public appearance in his mother's arms on September 16, 1984, the day after his birth.
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Big brother William clearly tickled grandma Elizabeth with this silly photobomb after Harry's christening on December 21, 1984. And look, you could already see red hair sprouting on little Harry's head!
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Harry joined the whole family on the Royal Yacht Britannia at just eight months old, but he didn't seem too impressed by the ship.
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This sweet family portrait was taken at the royal family's home in Kensington Palace just about a month after Harry's first birthday.
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Do you think Harry was already preparing for his polo matches playing back in 1985?
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Harry seemed to be having a very serious conversation with this real-life horse in 1986. Maybe he's telling him about a toy he has that looks just like him!
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If you look closely, you can see Harry and William were wearing matching outfits while hanging out with grandma at this polo match in 1987.
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What a cheeky little boy! Four-year-old Harry pulled this hilarious face as he and William drove away from visiting their newborn cousin, Princess Beatrice, at the hospital in 1988.
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Judging by this serious face, we wonder if this was the moment an 8-year-old Harry decided he would join the military one day.
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Harry flashed a huge that showed off his missing two front teeth while on his annual family ski holiday in 1992.
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Diana always knew how to treat her boys to a fun day, like with this trip to Thorpe Park in 1993.
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Is it just us, or is teen Harry blushing like crazy in this photo with Posh and Sporty Spice in 1997? (And, Charles too!)
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Harry was all smiles with his big brother at the Eton Boys' Tea Party in 1999. (The siblings attended Eton College, a fancy boarding high school near London.)
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Both Harry and William have been avid polo players since their youth. This photo of Harry in 2002 shows just how much he loves playing the game!
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If you look in the background of this 2004 photo of Harry in his dorm room just before he graduated from Eton College, you can see a framed photo of mom Diana on his desk. How sweet is that?
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After graduation, 19-year-old Harry spent the first three months of his gap year in Australia where he seemed to really enjoy getting to know the people... and the koalas.
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During his gap year, Harry also traveled to Lesotho, South Africa, which later led to him to starting a charity for the youth of that region.
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The sporty prince also spent some time in 2004 helping coach a group of young rugby players in Sheffield, England.
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Harry (fourth from the right) couldn't keep a straight face when his grandma walked by him with a proud smile as she inspected him and fellow soldiers in 2006.
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Harry goofed around with kids while paying another visit to Lesotho in 2006, this time to officially launch his charity, Sentebale.
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The prince wasn't afraid of a little rain or mud while playing polo in 2006.
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William and Harry looked handsome in their traditional bowler hats at the annual Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association parade in 2007.
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Also in 2007, the brothers organized the Concert for Diana as a tribute to their mother. They included musical and entertainment acts that Diana loved like Duran Duran and Elton John, plus some of their own favorites like Kanye and Joss Stone. All proceeds went charities close to both Diana and their hearts.
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Harry spent time stationed in Helmand, Afghanistan, between 2007 and 2008.
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Harry celebrated his polo win in 2009 by spritzing his opponent, Nacho Figueras — but don't worry, the pair remain close friends.
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Harry seemed to be cracking some pretty great jokes with fellow servicemen at a Walking with the Wounded event in 2010.
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We're not sure we'd be as good-natured as William if Harry put a snake in our face, but they seem to be having a blast together in Botswana in 2010!
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As his brother's best man at the 2011 royal wedding, Harry famously took a peak down the aisle as Kate walked toward them and let William know how beautiful she looked.
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Harry and Kate also have one of the sweetest sibling bonds, as shown by this photo of them joking around here in 2014.
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It's historically rare for a male member of the royal family to have a beard, but Harry proved an excellent case for letting his own grow during a military visit in 2015.
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Harry, William, and Kate were clearly all in good sprits as they arrived for a luncheon in 2016 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday.
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After years of being a third wheel for Kate and William, we finally got a glimpse at Harry's future bride, Meghan, at a tennis match during the 2017 Invictus Games.
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Harry couldn't have looked happier while officially announcing his engagement to Meghan in November 2017.
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Much like his brother's vows, the whole world watched as Harry and Meghan tied the knot on May 19, 2018.
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The beautiful couple welcomed their firstborn, Archie Harrison, on March 6, 2019, but waited until June to release this precious family photo.
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The Sussexes didn't mind a little rain as they smiled sweetly to each other at one of their last engagements as senior members of the royal family, the Endeavour Fund Awards in London on March 5, 2020.