Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be holding onto hope that one day they’ll reunite with the royal family for Christmas, according to reports.

This holiday season is reportedly feeling “bittersweet” for the couple as they admit to “missing” spending Christmas with the royal family, the Mirror states.

Meanwhile, OK! reports that Harry, now 40, is particularly conscious of the fact that no one from his side of the family will be present to share in the festive moments. He’s said to feel regret that his children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, won’t have the chance to play with their cousins during the holiday, as he did during his own childhood.

“For Harry, it’s a reminder that he doesn’t have any of his side of the family to celebrate with,” an insider reportedly told OK!. “The kids won’t get to see their cousins, and that was one of his fondest memories growing up — all the cousins playing together at Sandringham.”

The source added, “It may even hurt Harry to see all the royals together, going to church and enjoying each other’s company.”

Harry, who has openly admitted to being “addicted” to reading media coverage about his wife, will likely see images of his older brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other family members for the royal family’s traditional Christmas walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Before stepping back as senior working royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan had once been part of that annual Christmas service with the Windsors.

For Meghan, now 43, the holiday season reportedly feels especially “tough” due to her estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle.

“Meghan only has her mum, [Doria Ragland], and there’s almost no chance of her reconciling with her dad,” an insider told OK!

The couple reportedly wishes they could have their entire families together for a big Christmas celebration but acknowledge that such a gathering is unlikely. “So they’ve decided to create new memories and traditions with their children and close loved ones,” the source shared.

Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, 60, recently commented on the ongoing fallout between Meghan and their father. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Samantha said, “Meghan has no idea what she’s missing out on because when my dad [Thomas] is gone, it’ll be too late,” accusing Meghan of passing up “missed opportunities.”

Harry and Meghan are confirmed to be spending this Christmas at their Montecito, California, home with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.

Although the couple reportedly did not receive an invitation to join the royal family for the holidays, Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer — Princess Diana’s younger brother — extended an offer for them to join his family at Althorp, the Spencer ancestral home in West Northamptonshire, England.

However, the couple is believed to have turned down the invitation due to security concerns surrounding a trip to the UK.