Meghan leaves Archie in Canada for trip

In March 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, traveled to the United Kingdom to complete their final round of official royal engagements, while their 10-month-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, remained in Canada. Archie stayed on Vancouver Island under the care of a nanny and a trusted family friend as the couple carried out a series of scheduled appearances before formally stepping back from senior royal duties on 31/03/2020. The decision to leave Archie in Canada coincided with the early global spread of COVID-19. At the time, international travel conditions were rapidly changing, and concerns about health risks were increasing. Reports indicated that the couple chose not to bring their infant son on a transatlantic trip during this period, opting instead to minimize exposure while fulfilling their remaining commitments in the UK. During the visit, Prince Harry and Meghan attended several high-profile events that marked the conclusion of their official roles. These included the Endeavour Fund Awards on 05/03/2020, the Mountbatten Music Festival on 07/03/2020, and their final joint royal appearance at the Commonwealth Day Service held at Westminster Abbey on 09/03/2020. These engagements were widely covered as part of their transition away from frontline royal responsibilities. The trip took place against the backdrop of ongoing discussions within the royal family regarding the couple’s future roles. Archie had remained in Canada since the family’s relocation there in late 2019, and the March 2020 visit to the UK was conducted as a short-term return focused on completing official duties. Why This Moment Matters The arrangement reflected the practical considerations faced during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak while also underscoring the transitional nature of the couple’s final engagements before their departure from official royal roles.