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Prince Harry lands in Canada as he is set to be reunited with Meghan and baby Archie

The Duke of Sussex has landed in Canada and is set to be reunited with Meghan and Archie.

Prince Harry boarded a flight to Vancouver on Monday evening after his meeting with Boris Johnson and world leaders at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.

The summit was likely to be one of his few remaining official engagements before he and Meghan take a "leap of faith" and step back as "senior" royals in spring.

Prince Harry is pictured at Victoria International airport: SplashNews.com
Prince Harry is pictured at Victoria International airport: SplashNews.com

Harry's journey to Canada also came after his brother Prince William hosted his first reception alone at the Palace, as he and Kate received world leaders on Monday.

Harry flew from London's Heathrow on British Airways flight 85, according to the Mail.

The flight landed at Vancouver International Airport 15 minutes late and two security guards escorted Harry to a black people carrier which would take him to Vancouver Island to join his family, the newspaper reported.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a reception at London's Buckingham Palace (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a reception at London's Buckingham Palace (PA)

On Sunday night the duke gave an emotional speech, saying he had "no other option" but to give up his official royal duties and forge a new life in Canada.

Johnny Hornby, chairman of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Harry and Lesotho's Prince Seeiso, said the duke had indicated the solution was not something he "ideally" wanted.

Harry has reportedly flown back to Canada to be reunited with Meghan and baby Archie(Getty Images)
Harry has reportedly flown back to Canada to be reunited with Meghan and baby Archie(Getty Images)

Asked if it mattered to the Africa-based charity, which supports youngsters living with HIV, if Harry was royal or had a title, Mr Hornby told Radio 4's Today programme: "No, I don't think it matters at all.

"I think he has a kind of unique ability and an aura around him when he's with children, when he's with any gathering, I think his passion comes over.

"We don't need from Sentebale's perspective his title, we just need his time and his passion and he's committed to give us that."

At a private event for Sentebale on Sunday night in London, Harry spoke about leaving royal duties behind in a bid for a "more peaceful life" for his family.

His comments came after Buckingham Palace released the outcome of talks between the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Harry over the future role of the Sussexes.

Harry and Meghan had wanted to remain as working royals, although not prominent members, and drop their public funding so they could become financially independent - a dual role many commentators said was fraught with problems.

In a statement issued on Saturday after royal family talks, the Sussexes announced they will stop carrying out royal duties from the spring, no longer use HRH and will repay the taxpayers millions spent on their Berkshire home.

In the Sentebale speech, Harry told invited guests: "What I want to make clear is we're not walking away, and we certainly aren't walking away from you.

"Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible.

"I've accepted this, knowing that it doesn't change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life."

Mr Hornby said he met Harry on Friday when they went through major events for the coming year, from trips to Africa to the opening of new camps that support teenagers living with HIV, and a research project the charity is doing with Royal Holloway, University of London.

He added of the duke: "He couldn't be more passionate then he has been to date, and he'll certainly be as passionate going forward."

Harry was not officially attending the investment summit at a London hotel but was holding one-to-one meetings with a number of foreign leaders at the request of the UK Government.

He sat down to talks with Moroccan prime minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani, Malawi's President Peter Mutharika, and Filipe Nyusi, president of Mozambique.

It is likely the Government asked Harry to meet the African leaders because he has a keen interest in the continent and the royal family employs "soft diplomacy" to help strengthen Britain's ties with her allies.

In a few months the duke will no longer be representing the UK in an official capacity and events like the summit will only be open to him as a guest.

Questions have also been raised about how Harry and Meghan will continue with their Sussex Royal brand when they cease being working royals.

This issue and other questions - including funding for the couple and son Archie's protection - have yet to be resolved.

Read more

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