Prince Harry plans 40th birthday getaway WITHOUT Meghan Markle as he heads away with ‘closest mates’

The Duke will head off on the lads’ trip after a private birthday gathering at the Sussexes’ Montecito mansion with the family.

He is set to “enjoy a weekend getaway with a few of his closest mates” to see in his milestone birthday, The Sun can reveal.

Wife Meg will stay behind in California with kids Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – who Harry said are the two “best gifts” he’s ever received.

Harry, who wrote his memoir Spare about growing up in the shadow of heir to the throne brother William, is increasingly dissatisfied with life in the states, it is said.

And in shock claims, he is said to be seeking guidance on a return to Britain — and to the Royal Family.

Harry has reportedly consulted his trusted former aides here after apparently growing sick of the Hollywood reps he and Meghan employ.

Friends of the prince claim he feels he has lost his way since the move across the pond.

Meghan, 43, took centre stage during their visits to Nigeria in May and Colombia last month.

And those in Harry’s inner circle have noted that he seems to enjoy regular solo trips back to the UK, with Meghan refusing to set foot in the country.

A source close to them told The Sun: “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.

“He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.”

But those close to him accept there is much work to do to heal the rifts he has created.

In his 2023 memoir Spare, he took aim at his close family, accusing William of knocking him to the floor during a row.

He claimed William called Meghan “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive” and that William’s wife, Kate, was cold towards her.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said he has cut an unhappy figure of late.

She added: “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.”

But she added: “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.”