Prince Harry Arrives in Canada to Join Meghan Markle and Start New Chapter Away from Royal Life
Prince Harry is back across the pond!
After about 10 days apart from his wife, Harry touched down in Canada on Monday night to join Meghan Markle and baby Archie and begin their new lives away from royal life.
Queen Elizabeth‘s grandson, 35, first landed at Vancouver International Airport from London’s Heathrow Airport on a commercial British Airways flight. He then flew into Victoria International airport, touching down around 10 p.m. local time.
Hoping off the flight before the other passengers via a back staircase, the father of one smiled as he walked to a waiting SUV.
For his flight, Harry wore a puffer jacket and a beanie and carried his own duffle bag. The prince was escorted by security guards.
Harry landed in Canada after spending most of Monday at the U.K.-Africa Investment Summit in London where he spoke to African leaders and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
After spending the holidays on Canada’s Vancouver Island with Archie, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to London for a handful of engagements on Jan. 7. They visited Canada House to thank the country for hosting them and also stopped by the Hubb Community Kitchen, one of Meghan’s first royal partnerships, to check in and wish them a happy new year.
Meghan, 38, and Prince Harry shared their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family on Jan. 8, soon after which Meghan flew back to Canada to reunite with Archie. Harry, meanwhile, remained in England to continue the discussion about the big changes ahead with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prince William.
Harry appeared to a handful of engagements over the past week, hosting the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and appearing at a Sentebale charity event on Sunday, where he spoke candidly about their agreement with Queen Elizabeth regarding their exit from the royal family.
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“It brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges,” he told the people gathered.
“And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you,” he continued, going on to reference his late mother, Princess Diana.
“I was born into this life, and it is a great honor to serve my country and the queen,” he said. “When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.”
“It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service,” he said.
Meghan and Harry announced in their initial statement that they were planning to split their time between the U.K. and North America going forward. They will keep their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor but repay renovation costs.
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The 93-year-old monarch released a statement on Saturday saying that the family had “found a constructive and supportive way forward.”
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family,” the Queen said in her statement. “I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family. It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
