MEG A NEW START Prince Harry arrives in Canada to start new life with Meghan Markle and baby Archie after hammering out Megxit
PRINCE Harry burst into a broad grin as he stepped onto his Canadian Love Island minutes before an emotional reunion with Meghan Markle.
A clearly happy Harry, 35, landed at 9.47pm local time after dashing from talks finalising his Megxit split from the Royal family.
He stepped straight into a waiting silver Toyota 4×4 on Vancouver Island shielded by five bodyguards for the 10-minute journey to his wife at their £11 million mansion hideaway.
The royal rebel’s arrival following nearly two weeks of negotiation with senior royals and aides came after eight-month-old son Archie’s bedtime.
His beaming demeanour matched that of the 38-year-old duchess, who had been spotted out hiking with Archie cuddled close to her chest in an island park hours earlier.
Harry was so eager to leave London he ducked out of a Buckingham Palace evening reception he was supposed to be co-hosting.
Yesterday, Prince Harry appeared at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in Greenwich alongside Boris Johnson, meeting the presidents of Malawi and Mozambique and the prime minister of Morocco.
During the summit Harry took time out for a 20-minute heart-to heart with the PM in a private room at the Intercontinental hotel.
But he skipped the later engagement to board a nine-and-a-half hour afternoon British Airways flight to Vancouver connecting with a light plane to the nearby island.
Two royal protection officers – still paid for by British taxpayers – joined him on the journey and three more greeted his 15-minute West Jet turbo prop hop.
His car was drawn up to the plane steps and he was ushered off with officers before other passengers then driven in the three-car convoy through a side exit.
The airport is just a 10-minute drive from the stunning secluded mansion – owned by a mystery pal – in North Saanich where Meghan was waiting.
Harry is expected to sleep off his jet lag before spending time catching up with his family and fine-tuning their plans for their new non-royal life.
QUESTIONS REMAIN
But questions remained on exactly how their £1 million-a-year Canadian security costs will be met and whether Prince Charles should get tax breaks on the huge sums he is still paying his son.
Harry and Meghan – whose loathing of “soul-crushing” royal protocols helped spark the crisis – must now decide where to relocate to when they begin reshaping their lives.
But they are expected to take their time mulling over their plans while lapping up the luxury of their six-bedroomed dream home.
Toronto is seen as the most likely new home for the Sussexes after Meghan spent seven years there while starring in TV drama Suits.
She was pictured momentarily struggling to contain boisterous Archie in a baby sling while walking her dogs on a beautiful woodland trail.
She appeared happy and carefree as she soaked up the stunning scenery at Horth Hill Regional Park, a ten minute drive from her beachside mansion on Monday morning.
Harry and Meghan took their beagle Guy and a black Labrador Oz to the exclusive Island for their six-week break before Megxit.
Two royal protection officers watched from a discreet distance pacing behind Meghan as she strolled outdoors on the islan d for the first time with the tot.
Sources close to the privacy-conscious couple say they will happily lie low there enjoying precious family time together before launching a strung of commercial ventures.
She was last spotted smiling as she boarded a seaplane to mainland Vancouver to visit two women’s charities last Tuesday.
They also appeared entirely at ease in public when she drove herself to the Island’s Victoria International airport to pick up pilates guru pal Heather Dorak.
Harry has more engagements in Britain in the next couple of months as they “transition” away from being full-time royals so will have to be shuttle between the two counties – but Meghan is not expected back in the UK for the foreseeable future.
It is not known when he will return but a Sussex source said there were “more engagements to come” in Britain for the prince before the spring.
During their six-week Christmas break, Harry and Meghan stayed in an £11 million waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island, located on Canada’s southwestern coast.
Archie has not been in the UK at all this year, having not returned since the festive holiday.
The family could make the island their home base, while Meghan is said to be keen on Toronto, calling the city her “second home” after spending seven years there filming legal drama Suits.
The city has well-heeled neighbourhoods including Forest Hill and Deer Park, home to Meghan’s best friend, Jessica Mulroney, and her TV presenter husband Ben, son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian.
She has praised the city for its lack of paparazzi.
She said: “It’s really funny because I think as much of a big city as Toronto is, it’s so different from LA or New York. There [are] no paparazzi so it’s really easy to just have a normal life.”
In Canada, Meghan plans to campaign on issues close to her heart – such as the two organisations for vulnerable women and children in Vancouver where she made her first post-Megxit visits last week.
TWO-YEAR FEUD OVER
Yesterday, Prince Harry met Boris Johnson and other world leaders at the UK Africa Investment Summit in Greenwich after he told of his “great sadness” at ditching the Royal Family.
As he jetted off to Canada, big brother Prince William hosted a huge bash at Buckingham Palace for the 21 African delegations and their spouses.
It is the first time the Queen has asked him to host a major state occasion inside the Palace as he gears up for his future role as King.
It comes as The Sun revealed how Harry and William have ended their two-year feud after realising it was “now or never”.
The pair made up in man-to-man peace talks away from the high-stress royal summit at Sandringham with their dad Prince Charles and the Queen.
But sources say Harry is still at odds with his father over the sensational decision to quit the royal family.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall responded “of course” when asked if she would miss Harry and Meghan.
‘GREAT SADNESS’
On Sunday night, Prince Harry told of his “great sadness” over his decision to step down and move abroad with baby Archie.
Speaking at a private event for his charity Sentebale at The Ivy restaurant, he said: “The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.”
Harry, 35, told friends and supporters: “It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.”
The Duke claimed he wasn’t walking away from the Royal Family but it “wasn’t possible” to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and the Military without public funding.
But making a point of his new non-royal status, he said: “I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share — not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry.”
He also expressed sorrow his military titles had been taken away from him – praising everyone “who has supported injured veterans” on Instagram today.
‘MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE’
On Saturday The Queen confirmed that from the spring they will relinquish their HRH titles as they seek “a more independent life” in North America.
During the talks, all options were on the table and the Evening Standard has reported the Queen had the choice of stripping Harry of his dukedom and using one of his lesser titles.
The newspaper quoted a source as saying it was “seriously considered” but another source told PA this was “categorically untrue”.
The discussions to resolve the crisis between officials and members of the royal family were described as “extremely friendly and constructive” when they ended.
The couple will not receive public funds anymore and will have to pay the taxpayer the £2.4 million that was spent on refurbishing Frogmore Cottage.
They will need to pay the estimated £30,000 a month upkeep bills at the Windsor home – but will be allowed to keep funding from Charles’ person income from the Duchy of Cornwall and are now free to cash in on commercial ventures.
Image Source:*thesun.co.uk
Source:thesun.co.uk
