Buckingham Palace considered appointing Prince Harry as Governor General of Canada in a bid to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within the royal fold, it has emerged. The proposal, which was explored before the couple announced their intention to step back as senior royals, would have seen Harry represent the Queen in Canada while allowing Meghan and Harry to live part-time in North America.
The revelation comes as the couple's interest in Canada has become increasingly clear. Meghan has already returned to Canada, leaving Harry in the UK to finalise their new arrangement. The pair spent a six-week Christmas holiday on Vancouver Island, where they enjoyed hiking and stayed at a secluded estate arranged by musician David Foster, whose wife Katherine McPhee attended school with Meghan in Los Angeles.
Canada offers the couple a degree of privacy and informality not available in the UK. The country lacks the intense tabloid culture and paparazzi presence of Britain or the US, and during their six-week stay, not a single paparazzi photograph was taken of them. Meghan has strong ties to Canada, having lived in Toronto for six years while filming Suits, and maintains close friendships there, including with Jessica Mulroney, whose children were part of the royal wedding party.
The couple's announcement on 8 January stated their desire for a "geographic balance" to raise their son Archie with an appreciation for royal tradition while providing their family space for the next chapter. The palace was reportedly blindsided by the announcement, which came after weeks of speculation about their future.
