Prince Harry made a surprise appearance from his Montecito home today

The words could not be more poignant in the circumstances.

On the eve of his 40th birthday tomorrow, Prince Harry stressed the importance of family by emailing the US magazin to tell them ‘The greatest gift I’ve ever been given is, without doubt, is my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day.’

In keeping with the sentiment, he is planning a small party at his $11 million Montecito home with Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, followed reportedly by an outing with a group of his closest friends.

Of the family he left behind in Britain, there will be no sign. No King Charles nor Camilla. And certainly no Prince William or Kate.

The playboy prince who was once renowned for drunkenly falling out of nightclubs with a succession of beautiful blondes on his arm has a new home on a new continent and an entirely new life.