Welcome to Canada:
PRINCE Harry will be warmly welcomed in Canada – as long as he does not expect its taxpayers to fund his travel and security.
The Queen is beloved in the Commonwealth country, but many of its citizens believe it should be a Republic and move on from the monarchy when she dies.
The news that her grandson Harry is planning to live in North America with the Duchess has been met with “pride”, “curiosity” and “puzzlement”, according to Canadian royal expert Philippe Lagasse.
The associate professor at Carleton University, Ottawa, said: “There has been curiosity and a fair bit of national pride that Harry would choose to live here, mixed in with puzzlement that he would even want to.
“My gut sense is that Harry and Meghan will spend a little time in British Columbia, but we will see a lot more of them in Los Angeles.
“If they want to build up their own brand, it makes sense to target the larger US market than Canada. And for Meghan, in terms of acting, LA is the place to be.”
Mr Lagasse, who teaches international governance, said he can see Harry becoming like Canadian rapper Drake, who lives in Toronto.
He said: “Drake lives in Toronto and goes to baseball games, so people like him being there.
“I can see Harry being here and doing charity work, and quite quickly this will not become a big thing.”
But he added the public acceptance would soon change if Canadian taxpayers were expected to pay for the Royal’s security and if roads are closed in cities like Toronto to allow him to travel around. Mr Lagasse does not expect the move to affect Canada’s relationship with Britain and the US, saying: “I don’t think it will create a diplomatic rift, but I suspect it will create tension when Charles or William come over.
“This will create a headache for anyone planning royal tours, as does Harry take part?”
And if Meghan becomes a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump, he believes this will be tolerated in Canada as “just another voicing concerns”.
However, the possibility that the Sussexes’ security and other costs will be funded by Canadian taxpayers has not gone down well with its republicans.
The Citizens For A Canadian Republic said in a statement: “We are on record as being in favour of full transparency and heavy oversight into the expenses of official royal visits, while also opposing all taxpayer funding for travel or security expenses for Royal Family members who come here in a non-official capacity.
“Therefore, we believe the celebrity
Government should tread very carefully if any consideration at all is given to providing public funds to members of the Royal Family, who come here uninvited and outside of delegated duties associated with the Queen’s role as head of state.”
One longtime Canadian royal observer, who asked not to be named, said that in his past visits to Canada, Harry has brought his own security team, who get an assist from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local authorities.
The observer added: “Harry is a prince of the Canadian realm, so I’m sure he will be provided with security.
“He will get some degree of coverage from the Mounties but, beyond that, I don’t know.
“It is the logical choice for them to be in Canada instead of the US.
“Harry remains HRH in Canada, part of the Commonwealth, whereas he wouldn’t if they had chosen California, where Meghan is from. He has no standing there.
“They both know the country well, she filmed Suits in Toronto and lived there for several years. The security is also much easier than it would be in the US. They will also be less bothered.
“It’s down to her. When Meghan’s happy, Harry’s happy. She wants to be in Canada, so Harry and Archie are going to be in Canada.”
Meghan had a host of A-list pals when she lived in Toronto, including Jessica and Ben Mulroney, who were dubbed the city’s “most polished power couple”.
Ben is the son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney. Fashion adviser Jessica has worked with current Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie.