EXCLUSIVE: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex don’t want to put their children at risk by bringing them into a potentially dangerous situation in the UK, according to a source.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not head to the UK for Christmas this year (Image: Getty)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have received an invitation to spend Christmas with Charles Spencer at Althorp, but have turned it down due to security fears, Express.co.uk can reveal.

According to a well-placed source, Prince Harry, 40, is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom with his wife Meghan Markle, 43, and their two children, but still fear for their safety.

“Harry is keen for the Sussexes to spend time in the UK this Christmas with family,” said the source. “However, there are still concerns lingering over their security.

“The Duke and Duchess don’t want to put their children at risk by bringing them into a potentially dangerous situation.”

The source adds that the Sussexes have not yet received an invitation to join the Royal Family at their annual Sandringham gathering – and it’s not thought they would accept even if one was extended.

The Duke and Duchess and their two children – Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3 – were notably absent from the Royal Family’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham last festive season.

The couple were also excluded from the Firm’s “summer summit” at Balmoral last month.

However, Prince Harry stayed at Althorp House – the Spencer ancestral home and final resting place of his late mother – during his trip to Britain in August.

The Duke stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, at his estate after going to the memorial service for Diana’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent tour of Colombia was deemed a success (Image: Getty)

Despite his recent visits to the UK, Harry is still set to go ahead with his legal battle against the Home Office over his security.

It is understood that a two-day hearing will go ahead in April of next year in the latest dramatic twist to the Duke’s three-year legal fight with the British government over his protection.

The Sussexes have been approached for comment.