According to sources, it appears that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will not be celebrating Christmas with the royal family this year. The couple had previously expressed their willingness to accept an invitation to spend the holidays with the royals, but it seems that their sentiment is not reciprocated.

Last year, the Sussexes chose not to join in the merry festivities with the royal family, and it seems that this year they may not be welcome either. A source from The Telegraph reveals that it is "highly unlikely" for the couple to refuse the opportunity to spend the festive season with King Charles. However, not all members of the royal family are on board with this idea, including Prince William.

A source from the Daily Mail suggests that senior members of the royal family, including Prince William, do not want Meghan and Harry to be present at Christmas. This refusal to welcome them back is seen as the royals doubling down on their reconciliation strategy.

The source emphasizes that it is "bizarre" for the Sussexes to suggest that they can simply rejoin the family without addressing past conflicts. It raises the question of why they are now expressing their desire to be included in the Christmas celebrations. Could it be that they have realized their strategy of critiquing royal life may not have been the most effective approach?

It is worth noting that Harry and Meghan no longer have an official place to stay in the UK, as they were served an eviction notice from their former royal residence, Frogmore Cottage. Additionally, they will have to bear the extra expense of their own security when visiting Britain.

While spending Christmas in the UK may not be on the cards for the Sussexes at the moment, there has been a breakthrough in their strained relationship with the royal family. Recently, Harry reached out to his father with a phone call to wish him a happy birthday. This marked the first time the two camps had spoken in over six months.

As part of the birthday wishes, the King reportedly received a pre-recorded video showcasing his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, singing "Happy Birthday" to him. It seems that Harry hopes this phone call will serve as a stepping stone toward a long-overdue reconciliation between himself and his family.

The Post has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment on the matter.