Albeit that Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have announced to split their time between UK and Canada, as they transition from senior royal members to independent citizens, the move might not be very easy to make – both for the couple and the Canadian people.
In an editorial piece published in one of Canada’s biggest newspaper Globe and Mail, it has been stated that the Sussex are not welcomed in the North American country and their residency could jeopardize “unspoken constitutional taboo”.
“You are welcome to visit, but so long as you are senior royals, Canada cannot allow you to come to stay,” said the editorial.
“If they were ordinary private citizens, plain old Harry and Meghan from Sussex, they would be welcome [but] a royal resident – the Prince is sixth in the line of succession – is not something that Canada can allow,” it added.
The editorial opinion emphasized that because the monarch Queen Elizabeth II holds a symbolic position in the formerly colonized country and also has a representative ‘Governer General’ to carry out ceremonial duties, it would be contradictory for Harry to maintain his royal status while he thrives to live like an ordinary citizen.
“The ‘Crown’ is just an idea, but for the Canadian system of government, it’s a very real and even necessary idea,” editorial page editor Tony Keller told Insider to reiterate on the complexity of the subject.
In addition to the legal and constitutional issues with the royal couple’s stay, the Canadian government may have “legal obligations to provide personal security for the couple, which could cost taxpayers millions of dollars a year,” security experts told Reuters.
However, Keller seemed open to the idea of Harry and Meghan abdicating the royal status entirely and applying for Canadian citizenship or residency.
“They’re welcome to apply and get in line,” said Keller.
It seems like Canadian people too might have similar opinions like the editorial published in the newspaper.
“If the Windsors want to live in Canada, paying their own way, and paying taxes like the rest of us, I am fine with that,” said one of the comments on the editorial.
“If they propose to freeload on the Canadian taxpayer, then no thanks. I see no need to subsidize the royal soap opera,” another added.
The editorial piece, however, took into account, Harry and Meghan’s personal reasons for which the couple has taken this drastic step.
“The Sussexes are working out their own personal issues, and Canadians wish them the best of luck. Canada welcomes people of all faiths, nationalities, and races, but if you’re a senior member of our Royal Family, this country cannot become your home,” the article concluded.
