TORONTO -- Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Canada during the holiday season.
In a statement issued to CTVNews.ca, a spokesperson for the couple said that Prince Harry, Meghan and baby Archie are 鈥渟pending private family time鈥� here.
鈥淭he decision to base themselves in Canada reflects the importance of this Commonwealth country to them both,鈥� the statement read, adding that the palace will not be releasing any further details 鈥渇or security reasons.鈥�
鈥淭he Duke of Sussex has been a frequent visitor to Canada over many years, and it was also home to The Duchess for seven years before she became a member of the Royal Family,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淭hey are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.鈥�
It had already been announced that the couple would be taking time off from their royal duties for several weeks, following a tour of South Africa in the fall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wished them a 鈥渜uiet blessed stay in Canada.鈥�
The pair made their first public appearance as a couple in Toronto at the Invictus Games in 2017.
While living in Toronto, Meghan, 38, acted in the TV series Suits where she played attorney Rachel Zane.
Prince Harry and Meghan spent the past two holiday seasons at Sandringham House, the private home of Queen Elizabeth II.
The news of the Sussexes spending time in Canada comes at the same time the Duke鈥檚 grandfather, Prince Philip, was admitted to hospital as a 鈥減recautionary measure,鈥� according to Buckingham Palace.
The BBC reported Friday that the 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk, England, to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for "observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition."
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, 35, dressed as Santa Claus, to send a Christmas message to bereaved British Armed Forces children.
鈥淵es, losing a parent is incredibly hard. But I know that every single one of you, by helping each other out, that you will have an amazing future ahead of you and a fantastic Christmas as well,鈥� the Prince said in the video.
The couple have not been seen in public together since Remembrance Sunday, although the has been regularly update.
Their child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in May this year.
