Royals

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are spotted enjoying the great outdoors during their Canadian Christmas

The couple has been seen by locals hiking and jogging.

There’s nothing like getting back to nature when you’re on holiday, and according to locals, that’s exactly what Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been doing during their Christmas break in Canada.

The royal couple, who opted to spend Christmas in Canada this year, are holidaying with their baby son Archie at Vancouver Island, a location favoured by celebrities including singer Nelly Furtado and Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall.

According to the owner of a restaurant in North Saanich, Greater Victoria, Harry and Meghan have been spotted by locals hiking and jogging.

Bev Koffel, who owns the waterfront restaurant Deep Cove Chalet with her husband, chef Pierre Koffel, told the Vancouver Sun she has seen the royal couple herself and even met with their security guards to arrange a dinner booking at the restaurant for the Duke and Duchess.

The duke and duchess enjoy nature – here they are photographed at The Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua during their 2018 tour of NZ.

She said Prince Harry has been seen several times hiking in a region called Horth Hill.

“Horth Hill’s become a very popular place now. And they jog around, so they’ve been seen,” Bev is reported to have said.

“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.”

The royal couple’s security team had visited Bev’s restaurant to make arrangements for the couple to dine there, but her husband Pierre had turned down the royal request, due to the level of security required for Harry and Meghan to safely enjoy a meal there.

“They [the security guards] said ‘How did you figure out who we were?’ And I said ‘It wasn’t too hard’,’ Bev told the publication.

She added that it was a privilege to have the royals in the area and she hoped they would enjoy their precious time away.

“Let them have their peace and quiet. For us to be so lucky to have them in the area, how lucky is that?” said Bev. “I wish them all the privacy they can possibly get. They deserve it.”

The couple is enjoying a six-week break from royal duties, and enjoyed Christmas Day with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Apart from the release of their Christmas card, above, which was distributed electronically this year to be eco-conscious – and a message wishing their followers a Merry Christmas on the couple’s Instagram page, the couple has kept a low profile.

Canada served as Meghan’s home base during her days on legal drama Suits but her and Harry also share some very special memories together in the country, making one of their first official appearances as a couple in 2017 at the Invictus Games in Toronto.

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