Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

There was a mixologist crafting speciality cocktails, a dance floor packed with 40 of his closest mates and even a surprise burlesque show. But for Prince Harry, the highlight of his 30th birthday bash at Clarence House on September 17 was the arrival of one VIP guest: ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas. The pretty blonde socialite spent much of the party dancing at Harry's side, says a source: "It was a shock to some, but her being there made it such a special night for Harry."

Thanks to Bonas, the royal has enjoyed many red-letter evenings of late. For the past two weeks the pair, who ended their two-year romance in April, "have been speaking every night," says a royal insider. "They've decided to give their relationship another try." And for this go-round, the military pilot is taking a page from his big brother's playbook. In 2007, Prince William split from then-girlfriend Kate Middleton only to have a quick change of heart. Seven years later, Harry experienced the same aha moment about the 25-year-old actress. "They're picking up where they left off," says the insider. "Harry ­really wants to settle down."



In the wake of their spring split, Harry was only interested in sowing his royal oats. A source says the former party boy "dated three different girls" in a five-month span. Bonas, meanwhile, marked her escape from la vida Windsor by doubling down on her burgeoning acting career. The dance-school grad - who, a source says, previously settled for an office job because she knew an onstage career wasn't the right look for a future royal - scored a part alongside Dame Judi Dench in the 2015 drama Tulip Fever.

But she stayed in touch with her former real-life costar. "She and Harry were in contact the whole time," says the royal insider. Even as Harry indulged in a few flings (remember ex-Miss Edinburgh Camilla Thurlow?), "he knew where his heart lay," says the insider. "You can try to forget about someone and move on, but if the love is still there, there's nothing you can do about it." The Leeds University alum sealed the deal September 10 when she showed up at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, the four-day sporting event Harry planned for wounded veterans. "The fact that she was there, supporting him, got the fire burning again," says the royal insider. "They know they're both so important to each other."



Duchess Cressie?

Since then, the duo have traded phone chats for pillow talk. A source says she bunked at his Kensington Palace pad September 13, and three nights later they caught a screening of the comedy Sex Tape at the nearby Odeon cinema. In between laughs, they made time for state-of-the-union conversations. "Harry's aware of Cress' fears about going further down the path of their relationship," says the insider. "But he's made it clear he will provide her as normal a future as possible." Even if her preferred normal includes red carpet premieres. Says the insider, "If she wants to pursue an acting career, he fully supports that." Though the insider predicts she may soon have to schedule auditions around cake tastings: "By this time next year, they'll be planning a wedding. Seriously."



Stepping in for Pregnant Kate

When severe morning sickness forced Duchess Kate, 32, to cancel her first solo royal tour in Malta, her husband did the honors. During the two-day trip beginning September 20, Prince William visited with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (he told her that his 14-month-old son stayed behind because Malta "might not survive baby George - there's too many precious things!"). He also gave an update on his wife, due with their second child next spring. "Catherine was keen to come here," the royal, 32, told Us. "She's doing so-so."

An inspirational little boy who touched Prince Harry’s heart has died of cancer just three weeks after the pair met at an awards ceremony. Seven-year-old Laughlin Whiteley was pictured chatting to the prince at the WellChild Awards Ceremony where he picked up his Most Inspirational Child Award. A Palace aide said today that Prince Harry was "so sad to hear the news" that Laughlin had passed away and that his thoughts were with the brave youngster’s family.



A few hours later they added: "Lockey is now surrounded by all those he loves, and all the things he loves. "He knew that as he slowly, slowly drifted off...Last night he told us, each of us, that he loved us & gave us a hug. When the nurses came in last night he raised his arms & said ‘Welcome!" And today they posted: "Lockey came home with us last nite. He’s back in the bedroom he loved amongst his treasures. Even more he’s here, always here, in our hearts."



Laughlin, from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, overcame a brain tumour aged four before being diagnosed with leukaemia at the beginning of this year and suffering a relapse more recently. But he told his parents he wanted to help other children and they set up charity ‘Unlock a Life for Lockey’ which encourages people to become stem cell donors and makes play boxes for children with cancer. Despite receiving gruelling treatment for his third round of cancer, Laughlin delighted at meeting the prince at the ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton on September 22, even asking him 11 questions about his life but keeping the answers top secret.


'Lockey' dressed up as Pharrell Williams to meet Prince Harry last month