After a turbulent few weeks for the royal family, Prince Harry has arrived back in Canada to join his wife and son. This comes after the news he and Meghan Markle will be stepping back from official royal duties and forging a new life in Canada – something Harry said he had “no other option” but do in a recent speech.
Markle has been on Vancouver Island since earlier in January and seen out and about with baby Archie, walking her dogs in the woods. Setting up their new home in Canada doesn’t come as a huge surprise – Markle lived in Toronto when filming her TV show, Suits. You also can’t blame them for choosing Vancouver Island, a place of relative privacy and outstanding natural beauty. It’s a Pacific island off the west coast of Canada and part of the province of British Columbia, and it couldn’t be more different from Windsor. Here are just some of the things the couple can do in their new home – Archie in tow.
Walk Around The Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens are the perfect place for the couple to go for a wander with their son. It’s full of flowers and birds, and has an array of stunning gardens with dedicated Italian and Japanese sections. Harry and Meghan might even be able to catch an outdoor concert there in the summer.
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Go Whale-Watching
Vancouver Island is known for its teeming wildlife, and what better way to experience it than whale-watching? You can board a dedicated boat, but the best time to go is between May and October. From there, you can spot anything from orcas to humpback whales gliding through the waves.
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Marvel at the Ancient Trees in Cathedral Grove
Up until now, Harry and Meghan have been living in Frogmore Cottage on the Frogmore Estate in Windsor. Vancouver Island will certainly be a change of pace, what with the amount of historic nature so close by. They should head to Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, where ancient trees tower over you – some of which are more than 800 years old.
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Lounge About on Chesterman Beach
Sure, it’s not exactly the time of year for sunbathing, but come summer, the royal couple will have plenty of pristine beaches to choose from. One of the best is Chesterman Beach, part of the Pacific Rim National Park, which is full of wild and beautiful natural places. Plus, you can surf there.
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Go Skiing
One thing Harry and Meghan definitely could do this time of year is go skiing. The late Princess Diana often took Harry on skiing holidays as a child, so chances are he still likes to hit the slopes. Even though Archie is probably a bit too young for snowsports, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is still a beautiful place to visit and play in the snow.
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