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Here's why Canada is a savvy choice for Harry and Meghan's new home

File photo dated 13/02/18 of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a reception for young people at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh. The Duchess of Sussex has returned to Canada as the Queen and other senior royals took decisive action and ordered their teams to find a "workable solution" to Harry and Meghan's future roles.
Moving to Canada could be a savvy decision for Harry and Meghan for a variety of reasons (Picture: PA)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the Royal Family comes with a decision to build themselves a home across the pond.

While the couple have said they plan to split their time between the UK and North America, keeping Frogmore Cottage as their home here, it appears that they plans to make Canada their home.

While Meghan has links to the US, with her mother Doria living in California, the couple have spent the last seven weeks in Vancouver and appear to be planning to make it their base.

There are a few reasons why Canada could be a smart move for the couple.

A property, where according to British news reports Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, spent the holidays at the end of 2019, is seen on a peninsula in North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada January 16, 2020. Picture taken January 16, 2020.  REUTERS/Mark Goodnow
Harry and Meghan spent the Christmas holidays in Canada and could be set to make their home there permanently (Picture: REUTERS/Mark Goodnow)

Meghan has friends there

Meghan has plenty of support in Canada.

The former Suits star lived in Toronto for six years while filming the hit TV series and one of her closest friends, Jessica Mulroney, lives there with her husband.

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Mulroney, who has a career in fashion and marketing, also has links to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, putting Meghan and Harry right at the doorstep of some of the country’s most important people.

Meghan is also said to be friends with Markus Anderson, the Toronto-based global membership director of Soho House.

Harry and Meghan are probably hoping they'll have more privacy in Canada (Picture: PA)
Harry and Meghan are probably hoping they'll have more privacy in Canada (Picture: PA)

It’s a wise move financially

There are financial advantages to moving to Canada rather than the US, including when it comes to tax law.

Speaking to MarketWatch, experts point out that if Harry moved to the US he would become subject to US tax law – which allows people to be taxed even if they move abroad, whereas moving to Canada will avoid that situation while still allowing the couple to be close enough to America to travel there.

“It’s a smarter move than moving to the US,” David Lesperance, founder and managing partner of Lesperance & Associates, told MarketWatch.

He also said the couple could benefit from the fact that Canada does not impose a capital gains tax for homes that increase in value as long as the place is a person or family’s main residence.

Canada is a member of the Commonwealth

As a member of the British Commonwealth, the Queen is Canada’s head of state.

That means Meghan and Harry could potentially get help with their security – one of the questions that remains unanswered so far – from the Canadian state.

When the couple spend time in Canada over the festive period, Scotland Yard reportedly received support from the Canadian police in providing protection for them.

Canada is part of the Commonwealth which might make things easier for Harry and Meghan (Picture: PA)
Canada is part of the Commonwealth which might make things easier for Harry and Meghan (Picture: PA)

They hope they’ll be left alone

While some critics have reminded the couple that the international press will be as interested in their lives as the British press was, it appears that they may hope that they’ll be left alone if they live in Canada.

During their festive break, few pictures have emerged of Harry and Meghan, who holidayed on Vancouver Island.

In Amanda Dishaw, who runs the blog Meghan's Mirror, told the BBC that she was surprised at how few paparazzi photographs had been taken of Meghan and it is likely that the couple will be hoping for a return to that situation if they make Canada their home.