Thanks for the holiday! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will end their six-week break TOMORROW with a visit to Canada House to say thank you for the ‘warm welcome’ they received during recent stay with Archie
- Harry and Meghan will meet with the High Commissioner in Canada to the UK
- They say thanks for the country’s hospitality after their Christmas in Vancouver
- It comes amid reports the royal couple are set to take on more work in Canada this year after the country provided them with the chance to ‘switch off’
Harry and Meghan are to make their first public appearance today since embarking on a six-week hiatus from royal duties – to thank the people of Canada for hosting their private holiday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in a formal Buckingham Palace press release last night that they would be visiting Canada’s High Commissioner in London, Her Excellency Janice Charette.
They wanted to meet her and other staff to ‘thank them for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay’.
Harry and Meghan are to make their first public appearance today since embarking on a six-week hiatus from royal duties – to thank the people of Canada for hosting their private holiday
It is unheard of for a member of the Royal Family to undertake a Court Circular-documented engagement to thank a country that wasn’t officially ‘hosting’ them. The trip was classed as private and no official engagements took place.
But Harry and Meghan have always made clear they like to cast aside convention and do what is least expected.
The couple were last seen in public together on Remembrance Sunday in November when they joined other royals in London. Harry also undertook a subsequent solo public engagement.
Harry and Meghan will meet with Janice Charette, High Commissioner in Canada to the UK as well as staff to thank them for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada. The couple are pictured here in March receiving baby gifts from Janice
They then disappeared from view with son Archie, now eight months, with a spokesman saying they were taking ‘extended family time’ after a year in which both admitted struggling with their royal roles.
It meant that they missed the Queen’s pre-Christmas dinner and the Royal Family’s annual festivities at Sandringham.
A spokesman said that after spending the last two Christmases with the royals in Norfolk, new mum Meghan was keen to spend time with her own mother, Doria Ragland.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in a formal Buckingham Palace press release last night that they would be visiting Canada’s High Commissioner in London
They stressed the decision was in line with precedent set by other members of the Royal Family – including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – and had the support of the Queen.
Palace officials declined to discuss where the couple were staying. Shortly before Christmas, however, the Mail revealed they were spending their holiday in Canada.
Buckingham Palace later confirmed: ‘They are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.’
LA-born Meghan lived in Toronto when she was working as an actress and has described Canada as a second home.
It was revealed that the trio were staying at a £10.7million waterfront mansion during their festive break, in one of the most idyllic spots on Vancouver Island (pictured), and were seen out hiking with friends
Following their meeting with the High Commissioner, their Royal Highnesses will visit the Canada Gallery and view a special exhibition by Indigenous Canadian artist, Skawennati. The couple are pictured at Canada House in March
It was later revealed that the trio were staying at a £10.7million waterfront mansion in one of the most idyllic spots on Vancouver Island, and were seen out hiking with friends.
On New Year’s Eve they posted a picture on Instagram of Harry cuddling Archie.
After meeting the High Commissioner today, Harry and Meghan will visit the Canada Gallery and view a special exhibition by indigenous artist Skawennati, born in a Mohawk reserve in Quebec.
It is believed the couple are almost certain to undertake an official tour of Canada, possibly this year.
It comes amid reports the couple are set to take on more work in Canada this year after the country provided them with the chance to ‘genuinely switch off’ on their extended break, a royal expert has claimed. Pictured is Harry and Meghan with their son Archie on their Christmas card this year