EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom with his wife and children, but the Duchess of Sussex still has fears for the family’s security.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have received an invitation to spend Christmas with Charles Spencer at Althorp, but it appears Meghan’s reluctance to travel to the UK is hampering the couple’s holiday plans.

According to a well-placed source, Prince Harry, 40, is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the United Kingdom with his wife and children, but the Duchess, 43, still has fears for the family’s security.

The source adds that the situation has become so bad that it could prove a real turning point in the couple’s six year marriage.

“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.

“Meghan has always shown a reluctance to travel to the United Kingdom and finds it quite a challenge with all that’s been going on.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been ‘drifting apart’ in recent weeks (Image: Getty)

If Meghan Markle were to attend, which is looking highly unlikely at this stage, it will be the first time the Duchess has properly set foot in the UK since the late Queen’s funeral in 2022.

The source adds that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 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.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 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, despite a snub from Harry’s own family, his late mother Princess Diana’s family, the Spencers, have taken him under their wing.

Prince Harry visited 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.

The news comes as Harry has extended his current solo trip abroad without Meghan Markle.

According to a well-placed source, the Duke of Sussex was due to head back to California this weekend to reunite with his wife Meghan and their two children, but has chosen to prolong his solo trip by an extra few days.

The source adds that the Duke will likely head to Johannesburg and Cape Town for “private time” with family and friends. Another secret visit, which has bizarrely been kept out of his official diary, is also planned.

Prince Harry paid a solo visit to South Africa while Meghan Markle was in LA (Image: Getty)

“It’s all very cloak and dagger but Harry has extended his trip abroad by another few days,” said the source. “He’ll likely go to Johannesburg and then to visit family and friends.

“The Spencers have a home there [in Cape Town] and he has a lot of friends from that part of the world.

“There’s also another trip planned which has been blanked out of his diary and he’s keen to keep it very private.”

Friends of the Sussexes sparked concerns for their relationship earlier this week over the amount of time the couple were spending apart.

Prince Harry has been undertaking several weeks of solo engagements in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa.

The Duke reunited with his old friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho this week as he gave a passionate speech around a bonfire about the work his Sentebale charity has been doing.

Prior to his trip to South Africa, the Duke embarked on a solo trip to London to attend this year’s WellChild awards.

During his brief visit to the UK, Harry did not see either his father, King Charles nor his brother, Prince William.

The Duke’s UK visit was preceded by another solo trip to New York City in the United States two weeks ago.

Prince Harry was in the Big Apple to attend a number of events during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week.

Meghan Markle made a solo appearance at last night’s Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala (Image: Getty)

He spoke at a panel event for The Diana Award, a nonprofit organisation founded after the late Princess Diana’s death at age 36 in 1997.

During another appearance, at the Clinton Global Initiative, Harry gave a passionate speech on online harm and called for action to tackle the “pervasive threat” the online world poses for children.

While Harry undertakes his independent travels, Meghan is said to have remained at home in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

However, the Duchess turned heads on Saturday as she attended the LA Children’s Hospital gala, stepping out in a striking red Carolina Herrera dress.

Harry’s series of solo visits, and the couple’s increasing distance from each other, has led friends to fear that the couple – who have been married for six years – have drifted apart.

The Sussexes have been approached for comment.