Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are hoping to raise their son, Archie Harrison, in two environments. In their intention to scale down on their royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said that they would like to balance their time between living in the United Kingdom and North America.
The Sussex couple are reportedly planning to make Canada their second home as they transition into their new roles and will no longer be senior royal family members. Arrangements are currently being ironed out at Buckingham Palace along with the governments of U.K. and Canada, which is a Commonwealth country of the British monarchy.
However, a spokesperson for the advocacy group Canadian Taxpayers Federation raised questions over the cost of Prince Harry and Meghan's security pepple during the times they'll live in Canada. Director Aaron Wudrick said that if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex want financial independence from their lives as royals, then they must pay part of their security detail and not rely on the money funded by taxpayers.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex like Canada for many reasons. Meghan used to live in the country while she was filming her TV show Suits before she met Prince Harry. The latter also has many memories and ties to Canada as he has hosted his annual Invictus games there several times.
Over the holidays, Prince Harry and Meghan spent a few peaceful weeks away from the public eye in Vancouver, British Columbia. They loved the experience so much that they made sure to thank Canada for their warmness and hospitality by visiting the High Commissioner at the Canada House in London.
According to Washington Post, Canada as a second home for Prince Harry and Meghan also looks appealing since the locals are not big on the details of the royal family's private lives. There are also no paparazzi following them around even as the local media knew where they stayed during their Christmas holiday break. No one divulged the details in public to "err on the side of discretion."
However, while Queen Elizabeth is the recognized monarch in Canada, Prince Harry is not a Canadian citizen like his wife. If they wish to live in the country for more than six months, they will have to apply for visas and go through the same process of immigration like everyone else.
Moreover, not all regions in Canada apparently like the monarchy. Another group said that some taxpayers might protest if the country were to pay Prince Harry and Meghan's security staff.
