The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as working royals four years ago

Princess Kate and Prince William have lost a contest to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, according to a staunch monarchist.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have performed two huge royal tours in Canada, however, an official has alluded that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen as being closer to the Commonwealth country.

Staunch monarchist Garry Toffoli, the Executive Director of the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust, said he and many other Canadians have a strong connection to the Sussexes.

He said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have maintained a closer connection to Canada than have the Prince and Princess of Wales.”

Princess Kate and Prince William lose contest to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan, 43, lived in Toronto for several years before she began dating Prince Harry.

She lived in the Canadian city whilst filming Suits, a TV drama where she played paralegal Rachel Zane.

The Sussexes also initially moved to Canada when they stepped back as working royals in 2020.

Toffoli told The Express that an overwhelming majority of Canadians supported the Sussexes’ decision four years ago.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meeting Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette, in 2020

He added: “Canadians remember that the problems regarding the Sussexes began when the Palace (wrongly, I believe) prevented them from living in Canada with royal security and carrying out part-time royal duties.

“The overwhelming majority of Canadians supported the Sussexes’ plans at the time. In one poll in early 2020 over 60 per cent wanted Prince Harry to become the next Governor General of Canada.”

Prince Harry and Meghan originally settled in Vancouver Island, before fleeing to the US in March 2020.

The Royal Family thwarted the duke and duchess’s plans to take on semi-official roles at the Sandringham Summit.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry travelled to Canada for an Invictus Games trip earlier this year

Princess Kate and Prince William with George and Charlotte in Canada in 2016

Showing their continued love for Canada, Harry and Meghan will head to Vancouver for the Invictus Games in 2025.

Prince William and Princess Kate, both 42, have not visited the North American country since 2016.

The couple visited British Columbia and Yukon at the invitation of President Justin Trudeau, and brought Prince George and Princess Charlotte for the trip.

Kate and William also travelled to Canada in 2011 shortly after their royal wedding.