Here’s How Harry and Meghan Are Spent Their Time in Canada Over Christmas

UPDATE 12/31/19: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex capped off a big year by taking to Instagram on New Year’s Eve to thank their fans and reminisce over everything they’ve accomplished together in 2019. And luckily for us, the pair’s social media video also included one special, never-before-seen pic of a bundled-up baby Archie posing with his dad, Prince Harry.

“Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and thanking you for your continued support! We’ve loved meeting so many of you from around the world and can’t wait to meet many more of you next year. We hope 2020 brings each of you health and continued happiness,” the royals captioned the video, which included sweet moments from Archie’s christening to his big royal debut as well as the couple's many engagements and trips together.

Based on the background, it seems likely the pic of Archie was taken during Prince Harry and Markle’s trip to Canada over the holidays. (It’s unclear if the pair have returned to England yet.) Below, read everything we know so far about how the pair spent their Christmas vacation.

UPDATE 12/26/19: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, allegedly celebrated baby Archie’s first Christmas tucked away on Vancouver Island. The Vancouver Sun reports that the pair are having a rather active holiday; Harry was seen hiking in Horth Hill Regional Park, and they were even spotted jogging together in the neighboring town, North Saanich.

“Horth Hill’s become a very popular place now. And they jog around, so they’ve been seen,” Bev Koffel, who owns the Deep Cove Chalet in North Saanich, told the paper. “It’s kind of exciting. I hope everything goes fine for them. They’re breaking away from tradition and I just wish them all the best.”

And according to the Daily Mail, the family stayed in a $14.1 million mansion estate with eight bedrooms and two private beaches. The luxurious four-acre property is reportedly owned by a mystery multimillionaire and is currently protected with fences, screens, cameras, and security guards. Locals say they began noticing cameras and extra protection going up near the estate around December 19, just before the couple arrived in Canada.

Sources also revealed to Us Weekly what gifts Archie got for the holidays. “For Christmas, they bought him books, building blocks, a baby ball pit. …It’s not all about extravagant gifts for them,” the outlet reports.

UPDATE 12/21/19: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and baby Archie are spending Christmas in Canada this year. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that the family will be spending “private family time” in the Commonwealth country over the holidays.

“The decision to base themselves in Canada reflects the importance of this Commonwealth country to them both,” the official statement, obtained by royal reporter Omid Scobie, read.

No details regarding where the royal family is staying during their visit were released due to “security reasons,” but the statement did ask that the couple’s privacy be respected.

The statement continued, “The Duke of Sussex has been a frequent visitor to Canada over many years, and it was also home to The Duchess for seven years before she became a member of the Royal Family.”

“They are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son,” the spokesperson added.

The family’s decision isn’t surprising since Markle lived in Toronto for seven years while she was filming Suits. Also, Canada is where Markle's best friend Jessica Mulroney lives with her husband and their four children—so it’s likely the duchess will clock some quality BFF time over the holidays.

Following the palace’s confirmation, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau wished the family a “quiet and blessed” visit.

“Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie, we’re all wishing you a quiet and blessed stay in Canada,” he wrote on Twitter. “You’re among friends, and always welcome here.”

The palace previously confirmed that the couple would not be spending Christmas with the queen but instead would take time to visit with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Ragland likely will be traveling to Canada as well, instead of the family going to Los Angeles to stay with her, as previously suspected.

The royal couple is expected to return to England and their royal duties in the new year.

See the original story, below.

11/13: After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry opened up about the hardships of public life in a recent documentary, sources speculated that the couple was considering taking an extended family break. Now it looks like that quality time is coinciding with the holidays: On Wednesday a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they won’t spend Christmas with Queen Elizabeth II this year; instead, they’ll be hanging out with their baby and Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland.

Royals reporters tweeted a statement issued by the spokesperson that read, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time toward the end of this month. Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, [the couple] will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the duchess’s mother Doria.” While people may try to spin this into drama about the rumored riff between Prince Harry and Prince William, or the media scrutiny Meghan Markle discussed, the spokesperson made sure to emphasize that this is totally within protocol and it’s been approved by the queen herself. “This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the royal family, and has the support of Her Majesty the Queen,” she added.

It’s also worth remembering that it’s normal for the royals to spend Christmas away from Buckingham Palace. Prince William and Kate Middleton spent the holidays with Middleton’s parents in Bucklebury in 2012 and 2016, and as the statement reminds everyone, Markle and Prince Harry were at Sandringham the last couple of years. The message doesn’t specify where exactly the Sussexes will be, so it’s unclear whether Ragland will come to the U.K. But we’re crossing our fingers that maybe this extended family time means Markle, Harry, and Archie will come stateside.

Originally Appeared on Glamour