Vancouver
Prince Harry was spending the first full day of his new life in Canada on Tuesday after jetting in from Britain to join his wife Meghan following their shock exit from their royal roles.
Harry, 35, landed at Vancouver International Airport on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow shortly after 7:00 pm on Monday (0300 GMT Tuesday).
He then took a connecting flight to Victoria on Vancouver Island, where he and Meghan have temporarily set up a home from home, having spent six weeks on the Pacific west coast over Christmas with their baby son Archie.
British newspapers published pictures of Harry, escorted by security, descending from the plane wearing a beanie hat and jeans with a bag slung over his shoulder.
Meghan, 38, was earlier spotted with Archie taking their dogs for a walk in the neighborhood. According to local reports, the couple are looking to buy a beachside house in Vancouver, or possibly in Toronto, where US former television actress Meghan spent several years while acting in the legal drama series “Suits”.
Like Britain, Canada is a Commonwealth realm, meaning Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state. ‘No other option’ Harry and Meghan are bowing out entirely from representing the monarchy, in a crisis that has shaken the centuries-old institution.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex openly said they have struggled in the spotlight since their wedding in May 2018, and were seeking to step back as frontline royals.
Harry said Sunday that they did not want to quit their royal duties but reluctantly accepted there was “no other option” if they wanted to cut loose from public funding and seek their own income in pursuit of a more independent life.
On Monday, Harry, who is sixth in line to the throne, attended the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.
He seemed in good spirits as he met the presidents of Malawi and Mozambique, and the Moroccan prime minister. He also had an informal 20-minute private meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who hosted the event — which might be one of the prince’s final engagements as a working royal. Price of freedom Under their new arrangement, the Sussexes are free to earn their own commercial income — but can no longer represent Queen Elizabeth or be referred to as their royal highnesses, and must repay taxpayers’ money spent on their UK home.
They will no longer receive public money — though 95 percent of their annual funding comes from his father Prince Charles’ hereditary estate for the heir to the throne.—Agencies
