Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrating Archie's first Christmas on Canadian Island

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Tim Baker26 December 2019

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are celebrating Christmas on a Canadian island as they holiday away from the rest of the Royal Family.

Harry and Meghan had earlier said they were spending time there as it “reflects the importance of this Commonwealth country to them both".

While the exact location was not revealed, residents on Vancouver Island have spotted the pair jogging and spoken with their security.

It is Prince Archie’s first Christmas, with the royal baby now seven months old.

Bev Koffel, owner of the Deep Cove Chalet near Horth Hill Regional Park, told the Vancouver Sun that she has seen the couple and their minders in the area.

She told the Vancouver Sun: “Horth Hill’s become a very popular place now. And they jog around, so they’ve been seen.

“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.”

Prince Harry has also been spotted hiking in the area a number of times.

A statement from Buckingham Palace announcing the couple’s oversea’s festivities said they were “enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.”

The rest of the Royal Family celebrated Christmas at church in Sandringham, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte joining their relatives for the first time.

Royal family Christmas service - In pictures

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The Duchess lived in Canada for seven years before she became a member of the Royal Family.

Ms Koffel said she had spoken to the Sussex’s security and sussed out who they were.

She said: “They said ‘How did you figure out who we were?’ And I said ‘It wasn’t too hard.’”

Her husband Pierre even rejected a dinner booking at the Chalet for the couple due to the stringent security requirements.

It is Prince Archie's first Christmas
PA Wire/PA Images

She’s got the phone near to hand so she can answer if Meghan and Harry want to try their luck at the restaurant again.

“We’ll see what happens,” Ms Koffel said.

“Let them have their peace and quiet. For us to be so lucky to have them in the area, how lucky is that?

“I wish them all the privacy they can possibly get. They deserve it.”

The restaurateur added that she had bought some books that she planned to send the couple - Paseka: A Little Elephant, Brave by Ruth James due to their love for Africa and Neekah’s Knitting Needle, illustrated by her neighbour Sheena Lott.

She said: “I hope to meet them one day. I hope they get my books.”

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