Prince Harry is reportedly organising an exclusive birthday event with his "closest mates" without Meghan Markle, insiders have suggested.

As the renegade Royal gears up for a landmark 40th birthday, rumours are swirling that Harry will be jetting off with his pals for a boys-only escapade. According to last night's Sun report, this follows an intimate family celebration planned at his Montecito estate in California, where Meghan is expected to remain with their young ones, Archie, aged one and five, and three year old Lilibet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines in 2020 with their bombshell exit from Royal duties, opting for an independent life across the pond in America. Despite Harry recently stating his offspring as the "best gifts" he's had, there appears to be growing speculation about the prince's dissatisfaction with his shift from Britain.

A purported insider close to the Sussex pair divulged to the publication: "Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home. The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background."

This confidant suggests the once-adored Royal aims to carve out a path that could see him re-enter UK Royal circles, seeking advice from longstanding comrades, reports the Mirror.

Speculation has been rife that Prince Harry is seeking guidance on how to make a comeback of sorts to the UK and the Royal Family, but some sources dispute claims that friends think he has lost his way.

Earlier reports suggested that Harry had consulted with former UK-based aides and had grown dissatisfied with the Hollywood representatives he and Meghan had hired since starting their new life in the US.

During the couple's public visits to Nigeria in May and Colombia in August, Meghan took centre stage, with Royal commentators noting that the 43 year old mother of two appeared more at ease in the role she has created for herself.

It was previously reported that Meghan feels "unwanted" in the UK and fears being "thrown back into an anxiety-fuelled visit to England". Harry ended up attending the Invictus Games 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8 alone, after his wife reportedly had a "change of heart" about joining him with their children, Archie and Lilibet, due to security concerns.

Harry reportedly begged his wife, saying: "I don't want to do this alone."

The Duke reportedly prefers not to "keep making solo trips to the UK", with a source explaining: "He would prefer it if the entire family made regular visits to see his family and build bridges, but there is so much going on behind the scenes that it just isn't possible at the moment."

The Sun has reported that Prince Harry's closest friends have noticed his increased enjoyment of solo trips back to the UK, while Meghan Markle continues to avoid returning. However, there is still a significant amount of work required to mend the rifts between Harry and the Royal family.

Four years ago, the Duke of Sussex stepped down from his role as a senior working Royal and has since shared insights into life within the Palace walls. He has made several shocking revelations about the royals in various interviews and even published an explosive memoir, Spare.

In this book, he expressed that he could "never cross that chasm" to reconnect with his family, claiming he was denied affection as a child.

Harry revealed that his brother, Prince William, would often request space and stated that the older generation of the Royal Family upheld a "maintained a nearly zero-tolerance prohibition on all physical contact". This included a lack of hugs, kisses, and pats.

However, on special occasions, the Duke of Sussex mentioned there might be "a light touching of cheeks."

In Spare, Harry detailed his public childhood and his experiences with drugs in later life. He also disclosed a heated argument with his brother William, during which the Prince of Wales allegedly labelled Meghan as "difficult", "rude" and "abrasive".

Harry alleges that his brother then "grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor".

Angela Levin, the candid Royal biographer notorious for her acerbic remarks on the Sussexes, charged to The Sun with a bold claim: "You could say Harry is not even the spare to his wife. He's almost nothing. She treats him horrendously. If you look at the filming of them in Colombia and Africa, he is not asked anything. He's pushed out of the way."

However, she conceded: "I was completely and utterly astonished to learn that Harry is trying to call in his old friends to help him get back within his own family."