PRINCE Harry has told of his excitement at turning 40 — but failed to mention his wife in a message marking his birthday.

In an 84-word statement ahead of his landmark celebration tomorrow, he praised his two children and said he was “committed to making this world a better place”.

Harry, who will also inherit £8million from the late Queen mum on Sunday, added that while he had been “anxious” turning 30, he was now “excited” to become 40.

He said: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”

He went on to describe how being dad to “incredibly kind and funny” five-year-old Archie and ­sister Lilibet, three, was one of “life’s greatest joys”.

But there was one thing plainly missing from Harry’s statement — his wife, Meghan.

The glaring omission — a rare one for the prince, who is usually gushing about the woman he wed six years ago — set tongues wagging, once again.

The statement came as friends claim the royal has now been reduced to being Meghan’s “plus-one” at events, something that has led fans to fear the worst.

Is there trouble in paradise? Surely not?

Harry and Meghan have said they will celebrate tomorrow’s landmark birthday at their home in Montecito, ­California.

The quiet bash will most likely ­feature a strong showing mostly of Meghan’s Hollywood pals, as insiders insist poor old Harry’s friendship group across the Atlantic is somewhat thin on the ground.

One source told us: “The guard is an English guy who moved to ­Montecito with his family. He and Harry are very close, very tight. As thick as thieves.”

They added Harry has also been relegated to Meghan’s “plus-one” for events.

This week, he turned up at the opening of a bookshop run by two of her friends, literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and ­cosmetics boss Victoria Jackson.

The source said: “The event summed up Harry’s life in a nutshell. He was there more of a plus one than an equal — someone ­useful for a social media picture.

“His circle of friends has been curated by Meghan. His social life seems to be more and more guided and built by her.”

But Harry does have his own weekend mountain getaway planned, which is expected to be attended by some of his chums from England.

Yet few of his old Etonian set are likely to show up after the split with brother Prince William.

We can reveal pop royalty Elton John, a close pal of Harry and Meghan, has opted to send the prince flowers instead of visiting — and pal James Corden is busy filming Gavin and Stacey in Wales.

Local flower shop manager Felipe Sandoval said: “Elton always orders orchids in a white container and we are coordinating with them to deliver for Harry’s birthday.

“He sent the same thing for the Duchess of Sussex’s birthday too.”

Those who know Harry hope the weekend away will lift his mood.

They fear that, despite his upbeat birthday statement, he is in fact getting even deeper into a funk as he becomes more and more turned off by life in the USA.

Away from his gilded £12million mansion and his beloved children, locals say Harry looks downbeat.

One said: “Meghan has a permanent smile, whereas Harry has a permanent scowl.”

It seems Harry has gone from flirty 30 to forlorn 40.

He spends his days doing school runs, tootling around on his bike — followed by bodyguards — and walking his rescue dogs.

Work days, spent at a shared desk with Meghan, are punctuated by meditation sessions.

One old friend last month told The Times how Harry is now a “very angry boy”, adding: “Anyone who knows him feels he’d rather be top of the pops here with everyone loving him, as they do with ­William and Kate.”

Even nights out with his wife have not cheered Harry up.

He and Meghan are said to have been verging on “rude” when they attended an event for Kevin ­Costner’s One805 charity on his estate last year.

Santa Barbara local Sara Kerr, 66, originally from Bournemouth, said: “A friend of ours who was there said Harry and Meghan were almost rude because they weren’t being very sociable.

“They didn’t interact with anyone.”

It was all so different a decade ago. When Harry hit 30, he was riding the crest of a wave.

In his latest statement, Harry alluded to “feeling anxious” about turning 30, but he was certainly much more of a free spirit then.

Fresh from his success at the first Invictus Games, having served two tours of Afghanistan, he was more popular than the late Queen.

Twenty per cent of Brits voted him their favourite royal compared to Her Majesty’s 17 per cent.

Celebrities know they have to pick one side or another and are saying ‘we want to stick with the Royal Family’

Kinsey Schofield

Ex-nightclub owner and best pal Guy Pelly organised a huge bash for him at Clarence House, where guests supped champagne and claret sent by Harry’s dad, Charles.

Pop singer Ellie Goulding performed at the party, which ended with a ski-themed disco, complete with fake snow.

Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “When Harry turned 30 he was seen as being down to earth, the sort people could imagine having a pint with at the pub. It’s amazing to see how much things have changed in those ten years. His popularity has plummeted.

“I’m not sure who will attend Harry’s 40th party because he seems to be very isolated and is dependent on Meghan.

“It looks like he may have even lost touch with Guy Pelly, who arranged his 30th birthday because, despite them both living in America, they don’t seem to see each other much.”

Polls now put Harry as Britain’s third least popular royal, with only wife Meghan and disgraced Prince Andrew less liked.

He shared many friends with his brother and most are believed to have taken Prince William’s side in the family war.

Pal Nicky Scott, who went to Eton with Harry, has been spotted in Montecito while polo star Nacho Figueras is also a friend.

But on his popularity in glitzy LA, US royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said: “Celebrities know they have to pick one side or another and are saying ‘we want to stick with the Royal Family’.”