Buckingham Palace Proposed Prince Harry as Canada's Governor General, Book Reveals
OTTAWA — A new book has unveiled that Buckingham Palace once considered appointing Prince Harry as Canada's governor general in a bid to retain the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle within the royal family. The proposal, detailed in a publication by Daily Mail royal editor Russell Myers, was among several scenarios crafted by palace officials to prevent the couple's departure from royal duties.
Five Scenarios to Keep Harry and Meghan in the Fold
In his book, William and Catherine, The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, Myers outlines five strategies devised by the palace to maintain Harry and Meghan's involvement in royal affairs. One notable plan involved positioning Harry as the replacement for then-Governor General Julie Payette, whose tenure was marred by allegations of creating a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall. Payette resigned in January 2021 following claims of bullying and humiliation of staff members.
Citizenship Requirement Foils the Plan
The ambitious proposal to install Prince Harry as Canada's viceroy ultimately collapsed when officials realized a critical obstacle: Harry lacked Canadian citizenship, a mandatory qualification for the role. A senior courtier quoted in the book explained that the plan was unfeasible due to this legal requirement, highlighting the complexities of the negotiations.
The source stated, "We'd spent months trying to work out a role for them and every time we thought someone had cracked it, there would end up being several reasons why it couldn't work. Harry being governor general of Canada wouldn't happen because you need to be Canadian." Other ideas, such as having the couple work across Africa, were also dismissed due to security concerns or existing commitments.
High-Stakes Negotiations and Royal Ties to Canada
The book paints a picture of intense, round-the-clock discussions aimed at keeping Harry and Meghan within "the Firm," a nickname for the royal family. It was hoped that appointing Harry as governor general would provide the couple with a respite from the chaotic royal court while maintaining their royal status and fostering goodwill.
Harry and Meghan have strong connections to Canada, with Markle having lived in Toronto during her acting career on the television drama Suits. The couple publicly revealed their relationship during the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 and even considered relocating to Canada after leaving the U.K. in 2020.
Outcome and Aftermath
Despite efforts by palace staffers to accommodate the couple, the book reports that Harry and Meghan offered no suggestions on how to resolve the rift. Ultimately, they stepped away from royal duties in January 2020, in a move dubbed "Megxit" by the UK Sun. This decision led to their financial independence from the royal family and a primary residence in North America.
Following Payette's resignation, retired diplomat Mary Simon succeeded her as governor general in July 2021, marking the end of the palace's unconventional proposal for Prince Harry.
