Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's time in Canada throughout the years

January 17, 2020

By Heather Cichowski

On Jan. 8, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced they would "step down" as senior members of the family and "carve out a progressive new role." The couple also expressed their intentions to "balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America." After discussions with the Royal Family, the Queen released a statement on Jan. 13 confirming that the Sussexes would be spending more time in Canada. It read: "...There will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK."

It is believed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent a large part of their extended break in Canada, specifically on Vancouver Island. And they seem to have thoroughly enjoyed Canada – Archie included! "My goodness, it was just such an incredible time..." Meghan said during a visit to Canada House. "To see Archie go 'ahh' when you walk by and just see how stunning it is, so it meant a lot to us."

The Sussexes' fondness for Canada goes further back, with Meghan living in Toronto for several years while appearing on Suits. And Prince Harry has visited our country many times, including for the Invictus Games. His first overseas trip was here, too!

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you’re on desktop) to see Harry and Meghan's travels and experiences in Canada!

Photos: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Karwai Tang/WireImage

<h2>Harry and William in Toronto, 1991</h2>
<P>It's an image everyone remembers and has burned into their mind: <Strong><a href=/tags/0/princess-diana>Princess Diana</a></strong> rushing to embrace <Strong><a href=/tags/0/prince-william>Prince William</a></strong> and <strong><a href=/tags/0/prince-harry>Prince Harry</a></strong> after arriving in Canada in 1991. The trip marked young Harry's first overseas journey, and it left him with plenty of wonderful memories!
<p>Photo: © Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Photo Archive via Getty Images

<h2>Harry and William in Toronto, 1991</h2>
<p>The boys later thrilled royals fans by stepping out in Canadian tuxedos! They looked adorable in full-denim looks with naval hats.
<p>Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

<h2>Harry, William and Diana at Niagara Falls, 1991</h2>
<p>This is probably one of your favourite memories of the royals in Canada, too! Diana took the boys to visit one of the wonders of the world on their trip here, and they even got to ride on the <i>Maid of the Mist IV</i>!
<p>Photo: © Patti Gower/Toronto Star via Getty Images

<h2>Harry in Toronto, 1991</h2>
<p>The next day, Harry charmed royal watchers as he and his brother and mother stepped out to a church service at Toronto's Cathedral Church of St. James.
<p>Photo: © Patti Gower/Toronto Star via Getty Images

<h2>Harry, William, Charles and Diana in Toronto, 1991</h2>
<p>Bye, Canada! Thanks for a great time! The entire family waved so long from the decks of the <i>Royal Yacht Britannia</i> in Toronto.
<p>Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

<h2>Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy, 1998</h2></p><p>
<a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-charles"><strong>Prince Charles</strong></a>, William and Harry tried on some of the red-and-white <strong>Roots</strong> Canadian Olympic gear during a visit to the Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy on March 24, 1998. The Nagano Olympics had been held earlier that year. <p>Photo: © Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

<h2>Harry in Burnaby, B.C., 1998</h2>
<p>Harry also got a warm welcome as the family stepped out to Burnaby High School on that same trip.
<p>Photo: © Carlo Allegri/AFP via Getty Images

<h2>William, Charles and Harry in Whistler, B.C., 1998</h2>
<p>The family got in some skiing time during the trip, too. We can't help but wonder if Harry hit the slopes while he was in B.C. with Meghan and Archie!
<p>Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2012</h2></p><p>Before she was the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan lived and worked in Toronto. She stepped out in a hot pink dress to the Rising Stars: 2012 Producers Ball during the 2012 <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/toronto-international-film-festival/2" target="_blank"><strong>Toronto International Film Festival</strong></a>. <p>Photo: © Sonia Recchia/Getty Images

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2012</h2></p><p>The <em>Suits</em> actress attended the FINCA Canada Fundraiser At <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/toronto-international-film-festival/2"><strong>TIFF</strong></a> that year, and looked incredible as always. <p>Photo: © Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images For FINC

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2013</h2></p><p>Before she was the Duchess of Sussex and before she started dating Harry, Meghan struck a pose at the 2013 <strong><a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/muchmusic-video-awards/">MuchMusic Video Awards</a></strong> at MuchMusic HQ. <p>Photo: © George Pimentel/WireImage

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2014</h2></p><p>The star attended the Hudson's Bay and the Isabella Blow Foundation Present Fashion Blows! event. She looked glamorous in a maroon gown. <p>Photo: © Sonia Recchia/WireImage

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2015</h2></p><p>The <i>Suits</i> star was on trend at the World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall 2015 Collections event. <p>Photo: © George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2015</h2></p><p>The star was on hand to share the new Dove Self-Esteem Project resources with youth workers at Toronto's Earl Bales Community Centre. The resources were intended to help young girls reach their full potential. Meghan has always been a passionate advocate for the rights of girls and women, a cause she continues to advance today and worked hard on in her days as a senior Royal Family member. <p>Photo: © George Pimentel/Getty Images

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2016</h2></p><p>The actress joined staff at the Toronto Eaton Centre Sephora to unveil the store's remodel that year. <p>Photo: © GP Images/WireImage

<h2>Harry in Toronto, 2016</h2></p><p>Let the games begin! Prince Harry dropped the puck at a sledge-hockey match in Toronto, alongside Prime Minister <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/justin-trudeau/" target="_blank"><strong>Justin Trudeau</strong></a>. It was part of Prince Harry's engagement to launch the 2017 <a href=/tags/0/invictus-games><strong>Invictus Games</a></strong> Toronto. <p> Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<h2>Harry in Toronto, 2016</h2></p><p>The prince had a sweet moment with this young fan while in the city to launch the Invictus Games, which were held there the next year. <p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<h2>Harry in Toronto, 2016</h2></p><p>The prince met with our prime minister at a bilateral meeting at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto as part of the 2017 Invictus Games launch. <p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<h2>Meghan in Toronto, 2016</h2>
<p>Meghan met <A href=/tags/0/jessica-mulroney><strong>Jessica Mulroney</a></strong>, one of her closest friends, during her time living in the city.
<p>Photo: © George Pimentel/Getty Images

<h2>Meghan and Harry in Toronto, 2017</h2></p><p>On the third day of the 2017 Invictus Games, royal watchers got an incredible surprise! Meghan joined her beau at a wheelchair tennis match at Nathan Phillips Square. The couple thrilled the public by holding hands as they made their debut as a couple!
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

<h2>Invictus Games Toronto, 2017</h2></p><p>How cute! The moment between Prince Harry, <strong>Hayley Henson</strong>, the wife of British Paralympian <strong>Dave Henson</strong>, and the couple's two-year-old daughter Emily from Sept. 27, 2017 went viral during the Invictus Games in Toronto. The toddler <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02017092838997/prince-harry-adorable-little-girl-popcorn-invictus-games"><strong>snuck some of Harry's popcorn</strong></a>, but he eventually caught on, and offered her some. <p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

<h2>Doria Ragland and Meghan in Toronto, 2017</h2></p><p>Meghan and <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/doria-ragland" target="_blank"><strong>her mother</strong></a>, showed their support for Harry at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Air Canada Centre. <p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

Mom and daughter were also joined by Meghan's friends <strong><a href=/tags/0/jessica-mulroney>Jessica Mulroney</a></strong> and <Strong>Markus Anderson</strong> in the box during the event.
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

<h2>Meghan and Harry in Toronto, 2017</h2>
<p>Harry later joined his girlfriend and her friends and family in the box, where he was spotted giving her a kiss!
<p>Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

<h2>Meghan in Toronto</h2>
<p>During her time living in Canada's largest city when she worked on <i>Suits</i>, Meghan spent lots of time volunteering at the St. Felix Centre, a shelter and drop-in centre in the downtown. She worked in the kitchen, and was known as "the lovely Meghan." The centre thanked her and Harry when they named it as one of several organizations to which they recommended fans make donations in December 2019 by posting this photo, which was taken during Meghan's time living in Toronto.
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@st.felixcentre

<h2>Canada, 2019</h2></p><p>At the end of their extended break reportedly in <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02020010354288/david-foster-meghan-markle-prince-harry-mansion-vancouver-island/"><strong>British Columbia</strong></a>, Prince Harry and Meghan shared an adorable photo of Harry with <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/archie-harrison" target="_blank"><strong>Archie</strong></a> to mark the start of 2020. <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02020010254276/meghan-markle-photographed-arachie-prince-harry-new-years-eve-photo/" target="_blank"><strong>Meghan reportedly took the sweet snap</strong></a>! </p><p>Screenshot via Instagram/sussexroyal