Meghan Markle managed to avoid detection on her return to Canada in the aftermath of the Sussex's shock royal announcement by paying £134 to get a budget flight, it has been reported. The Duchess of Sussex returned to the £11 million waterside Vancouver Island mansion where she spent Christmas with Prince Harry but managed to avoid TV crews when she flew in using the low-cost WestJet airline.
The media, who assumed she would be on a private jet, missed her arrival, Mail Online has reported.
Over Christmas, local residents were asked by royal protection offers to hold back from revealing their location for "at least a couple of weeks" to allow the royal couple some time to themselves.
Meghan returned to Canada on a budget flight, it has been claimed (Image: SplashNews.com) How Queen lost her grip on Royal Family from Megxit to the Prince Andrew scandal The couple reportedly went hiking and jogging, and even did some Christmas shopping in the nearby town.
Chris Stephen, owner of Lilaberry Home Decor in the nearby town of Sidney-by-the-Sea, said Harry came into her store just before Christmas with a protection officer to buy festive table decorations - but in her shock, she mistakenly called him 'Prince Andrew'.
Chris said Harry had a blue woollen hat over his eyes and mumbled in a "fake Canadian accent" into the collar of his coat.
"I thought there was something familiar about him, even though I could barely see his face," she said.
"And then I said, 'Oh my God, you're Prince Andrew!'".
Meghan reportedly chose a low-cost flight back to Canada (Image: PA) Inside the £11 million waterside mansion Prince Harry was always going to fall for 'spiky, spicy' woman like Diana, says biographer One of her colleagues corrected her, and Chris said she "nearly fainted" and "must have shrieked". She said she wanted to give him a "motherly hug" but was asked by the officer to "be discreet".
"We went and had a chat in the storeroom and the first thing Harry said to me - looking horrified - was: 'I can't believe you thought I was Prince Andrew!
"I told him that I was so overwhelmed I forgot his name. He said he tried to disguise his voice by speaking with a Canadian accent and I told him he made a terrible job of it.
Harry ventured out to some local shops (Image: Google) It's not clear how long the pair intend to stay in Canada (Image: Getty Images) "In the end I did give him a hug – a big mum hug – and he was very gracious and patient with me, a real well-mannered guy."
It is not known how long Meghan is intending to stay in Canada.
Harry is not expected to leave the UK until at least next weekend while he deals with the aftermath of the couple's shock announcement that they would step back from their roles as senior royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they plan to become "financially independent" and split their time between the UK and North America. Harry is due to attend a crisis meeting on Monday with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William on Monday.
Read More Meghan and Harry 'step back' from royal life Prince William's 'sadness' over Harry Why are Meghan and Harry stepping back? Phillip 'spitting blood' at Megxit Meghan and Harry's net worth Meghan and Kate cut ties on WhatsApp All the clues Queen 'found out on TV' Meghan silenced friends' concerns The Queen will host crisis talks with senior royals and the Duke of Sussex on Monday in a bid to find a solution to Meghan and Harry's future roles.
The head of state will be joined at her private Norfolk estate of Sandringham by the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge for the crunch meeting - where the "next steps" will be decided, a source has told the PA news agency.
