The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have begun royal events for Commonwealth Day with a visit to Canada House in London. Harry and Meghan were there to celebrate the contribution of Canadians across the UK.
The royal couple were given a demonstration of the spring custom of making maple taffy. Harry and Meghan watched as children showed them how to create the sweet treat which is traditionally conjured up by pouring hot syrup on cold snow. It was just one of several chances for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to chat to young Canadians during their visit which comes as the 70th anniversary of the London Declaration, which led to the foundation of the modern Commonwealth, is being marked.
During their stay at Canada House, Harry and Meghan also met young Canadians working across a diverse range of industries in the UK. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chatted to those involved in fashion and the arts as well as academia and business. The couple also received baby clothes bearing the symbol of Canada, the maple leaf, ahead of the arrival of their first child which is due at the end of April.
The couple are set to join other members of the Royal Family at the traditional Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday afternoon. The Queen will lead the royals at the event with the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of York also set to attend.
The theme of this year’s service will be the mutual support and connections that exist between the countries of the Commonwealth. In her traditional message ahead of Commonwealth Day, the Queen emphasised ”the links we share” as she spoke of all nations looking ”to the future with greater confidence and optimism”. The Queen added ”with enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that while the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have put the Commonwealth at the heart of their agenda since the announcement of their engagement in November 2017. Last week, Meghan was made Vice President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, an organisation of which her husband is President.
