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Palace dismisses ‘speculation’ that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning Canada move

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may return to Canada this year and may even move there on a more long-term basis, reports have claimed.

The Sussex family, together with eight-month-old baby Archie, spent a substantial part of their six-week long break in Canada.

The suggestion that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 35 and 38 respectively, might make a longer-term move there emerged yesterday evening, in an exclusive report from The Sun.

“It is true that Harry and Meghan will spend a fair amount of time in Canada over the next couple of months and possibly going forward too,” a source told the publication.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 07: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex smile during their visit to Canada House in thanks for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada, on January 7, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS  - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile during their visit to Canada House. [Photo: Getty]

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“That could include being based in Canada or the possibility of walking away from their HRH titles, although hopefully it will not come to that.”

“Everything is on the table,” added the source.

However, in a comment to the MailOnline, Buckingham Palace dismissed reports as merely “speculation”.

The royal couple visited Canada House, London, yesterday to meet with the High Commission team and “thank them for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay".

The pair gushed about the visit during a meeting with staff.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 07: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stand with High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, Janice Charette (C) as they view a special exhibition of art by Indigenous Canadian artist, Skawennati, in the Canada Gallery during their visit to Canada House in thanks for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada, on January 7, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS  - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan stand with High Commissioner for Canada, Janice Charette (centre), during a visit to Canada House. [Photo: Getty]

“The warmth and hospitality we were shown while [in Canada] was unbelievable, and that's exactly why we chose to go out there,” said Prince Harry.

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Duchess Meghan called it “an incredible time”.

She added: "Just to be able to take in the warmth that we experienced from the people, but also just to walk around and just see the beauty of Canada. To see Archie go 'ahhh' when you walk by, and just see how stunning it is [...] it meant a lot to us.”

But could a move be on the cards for the family of three? Tom Bradby, who made a documentary about the Sussexes’ tour of southern Africa last year, addressed the matter earlier today on ‘Good Morning Britain’.

Asked whether the couple who be moving to Canada and dropping their royal titles, he responded, “I don’t know the answer to that” – but acknowledged it could be a “possibility”.

He added: “It’s no big secret in their friends that they have been considering their options in the future. [...] I think there’s a lot of talking to be done, there are a million possibilities, they could go to Canada…”

Buckingham Palace has not responded to Yahoo UK’s request for comment.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship with Canada

It is known Markle lived in Toronto for seven years during the filming of ‘Suits’, the US legal drama she starred in, before moving to London to live with Prince Harry at the end of 2017.

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 30:  (L-R) Doria Radlan, Markus Anderson, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on September 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.  The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for the Armed Forces.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Doria Ragland, Markus Anderson, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. [Photo: Getty]

Prince Harry, meanwhile, visited Canada a number of times growing up, including in 1991 on a week-long family visit and in 1998 on a skiing holiday to Whistler.

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Meghan and Harry made their first public appearance together, together with Meghan’s mother Doria, at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017.

Yesterday marked their second visit to Canada House, having first visited in March last year for a Commonwealth Day Youth Event.

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31:  Jessica Mulroney and actress Meghan Markle attends the Instagram Dinner held at the MARS Discovery District on May 31, 2016 in Toronto, Canada.  (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Jessica Mulroney and Meghan Markle attends the Instagram Dinner held at the MARS Discovery District on May 31, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. [Photo: Getty]
NIAGARA, CANADA - OCTOBER 28:  Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry meet the public during a visit to visit to Niagara  on October 28, 1991 in Niagara, Canada.  (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry meet the public during a visit to visit to Niagara on October 28, 1991 in Niagara, Canada. [Photo: Getty]

The couple, together with eight-month-old son Archie, are believed to have spent a substantial part of their six-week break from royal duties in Canada, including on Vancouver Island where they were spotted by hikers.

This is not the first time there has been speculation the family will move to Canada. Back in October last year, US Weekly claimed a move could be on the cards, particularly because the country is still part of the Commonwealth.