Prince Harry and Meghan made 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 arrived less than 24 hours after announcing in a formal Buckingham Palace press release 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 travelled direct from a private visit to The Hubb, the Grenfell community kitchen project in West London that the US former actress collaborated with on the Together cookbook.
The Duchess of Sussex helps prepare food while visiting the Hubb community kitchen in West London in November 2018
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.
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.
Prince Harry and Meghan are given baby gifts by Canada’s High Commissioner Janice Charette in London on March 11, 2019
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.
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.
A photograph issued by @SussexRoyal of the 2019 Christmas card of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with baby Archie
It was later revealed that the trio were enjoying all the luxuries on offer at a £10.7million waterfront mansion in one of the most idyllic spots on Vancouver Island – and are even believed to have taken their two dogs over with them, too.
They were also seen out hiking locally with friends, including actress Abigail Spencer, a friend of former actress Meghan’s from her days on the television drama Suits, with Meghan even offering to take a picture for one stunned couple they met who were struggling with their selfie stick.
They also posted a picture on Instagram of a delighted Harry holding his son, Archie, taken during their holiday to the delight of fans on New Year’s Eve.
After meeting with the High Commissioner today Harry and Meghan will visit the Canada Gallery and view a special exhibition by Indigenous Canadian artist, Skawennati.
The duke and duchess will also meet different members of the High Commission team who work in a range of sectors supporting the partnership between Canada and the UK.
The couple last visited Canada House on Commonwealth Day in March 2019, when Meghan was still pregnant, where they met and spoke with young Canadians from a wide range of sectors including fashion, business and academia, about their experiences as expats.
Up to 500,000 Canadians currently live in the UK, a figure that reflects the strong, historic and enduring bond between the two countries.
Speaking after that visit Ms Charette said she kept dropping hints about them visiting Canada soon but got no firm commitment.
‘I think their priority is the baby first,’ she said at the time.
It is now believed that the couple are almost certain to undertake an official tour of the country sooner rather than later, possibly this year.