Prince Harry is set to return to California this week for ‘crunch talks’ with his wife Meghan Markle following a three-week solo tour of New York City, the United Kingdom and Africa.

According to a well-placed source, the Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 will sit down with their US-based team to thrash out a ‘new strategy’ following Harry’s successful solo trip abroad.

The source adds that Harry, 40 and Meghan, 43, are still focused on moving forward as a unit but will undertake more solo engagements to shine a light on their own interests.

“Harry is due back in California this week, and a debrief is expected following his travels,” said the source. “There’s a lot to discuss so the team has been summoned for a meeting toward the end of the week.

“The success of Harry’s solo endeavours has shown that a new strategy might be needed.”

The news comes as Harry decided to extend his current trip abroad by an extra few days.

The Duke of Sus𝑠e𝑥 was due to head back to California last weekend to reunite with his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, at their Montecito mansion.

However, the Duke chose to prolong his trip. He headed to Johannesburg over the weekend which was followed by a rumoured trip to Cape Town for “private time” with family and friends.

Another secret visit, which has been kept out of his official diary, was also planned.

“There have been whispers for months now that they [Harry and Meghan] have been drifting apart,” said the source. “Harry’s solo trip has given him time to reflect and now is the time to sit down and talk.”

To make matters worse, the Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 are said to be at odds over where to spend Christmas this year.

The entire family have received an invitation to spend the festive season with Charles Spencer at his Althorp estate in England.

However, it appears Meghan’s reluctance to travel to the UK over security fears is hampering the couple’s holiday plans.

“They [the Sus𝑠e𝑥es] have not yet had a meeting of minds over where to spend Christmas,” said the source. “This is another point of discussion when Harry returns this week.”

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 last week as he gave a passionate speech around a bonfire about the work his Sentebale charity has been doing.

Before 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 or his brother, Prince William.

The Duke’s UK visit was preceded by another solo trip to New York City three weeks ago.

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

While Harry has been on his travels, Meghan is said to have remained at home in Montecito with their two children.

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