I put this in IMHO since I figure it will be mostly speculation.
Anyway, Harry and Meghan have said they intend to split their time between the UK and Canada, though I’ve heard that they intend to spend the lion’s share in Canada.
EXCEPT, one does not simply live in Canada at one’s own discretion, not without the approval of the Canadian Ministry of Immigration. I checked following the 2016 election; there’s a process.
Does Harry’s status as the grandson of Canada’s Sovereign automatically make him a de facto Canadian citizen? Or would Canadian immigration extend both of them sort-of open-ended visas as a diplomatic courtesy?
Also, as for Meghan, I’m going to assume that she already has some sort of Canadian residency visa, considering she worked there for years. And whatever sovereign or diplomatic courtesy is extended to Harry (if any) will automatically be given to his spouse, viz, Meghan.
IANACIO (I am not a Canadian Immigration official) but my SWAG would be that if he asked for citizenship for him and Megs, it would happen pretty much right off. At the least some sort of extended residency. There could be the odd official act here and there but for folks outside North America Canada is pretty welcoming. (I know several people from China in the process currently)
Would any Commonwealth nation deny residence to a royal? A sovereign could appoint their relative to a position, like a general or lieutenant governance, without local concurrence, and could even overthrow a recalcitrant local regime, as has happened. Why would a Commonwealth state NOT want non-bothersome royals on the premises?
Not in the case of Canada. Governors general and lieutenant governors may technically be appointed by the Queen, but at the “advice” of the Prime Minister or the provincial premier, which means they pick 'em. It would not be tolerated to have the Queen force someone into the role.
Apparently the lieutenant governors are appointed under the advice of the prime minister as well, which matches with my memory. Maybe he or she may consult with the provincial premier, but it doesn’t seem like it’s required.
As for Harry’s residence or citizenship status in Canada, I’m sure we’ll get a definitive answer from Canadian lawyer Dopers like Northern Piper or Spoons, but my understanding (from articles such as this one) is that as a British royal he’s allowed to visit Canada as he wants, but is not a citizen nor a permanent resident and so presumably cannot work. If he wants to become a permanent resident, he’d have to make an official application using the normal means, which I’m pretty sure would be fairly easily granted.
My understanding is also that Canada does not have a royal family. Queen Elizabeth is the Canadian head of state, and as such does have a special status in Canadian law, but none of her family members, not even her sons and daughters, have any special status (other than that of UK citizens) in Canadian law.
Like many countries, Canada appears to have an investor immigration procedure. Couple of mil, and you’re set. Since starting up some sort of business is very likely what H&M have been planning from the start, I doubt this would be a problem for them.
If you’re rich enough, immigration rules often become pretty flexible. That shit’s for the little people.
I asked about the cost of security, off-the-shelf, in another thread, which got precisely zero responses. Basically, I’m guessing, based on absolutely no evidence, that the barest of bare-minimum security (one guy at the guard station at their house, one guy on-call for when they’re out in public) is going to set them back maybe half a million per year. They can afford that.
The problem with security stems from a reciprocal agreement between the governments. The royal visits bring benefits and draw crowds wherever they go, so understandably the Can government kicks in for some of their security costs while visiting in Canada. Likewise our prime minister, etc, is protected at their expense when there on a visit.
Clearly this is a new situation which will require negotiations, as has been publicly stated by our PM. Canadians def don’t want to cover their 365 24/7 security needs.
My guess is the crown will cover it until they are in a position to do so themselves. Prob after they pay off the renovations to their house in England, which is several million.
The problem with that is when you say “The Crown”, that ultimately means the UK taxpayer - and if you look on any UK comment-website-type stuff, that’d go down like a lead balloon here. Basically, if they’re not doing the glad handing as full time Royals and doing Hollywood-type stuff, the British public would find that very hard to stomach.
Actually I meant his Dad and Gran will foot the bill until he can, from their income from their estates.
Besides wasn’t the British taxpayer gonna pay for their security for their whole lives basically? Shouldn’t they be delighted if it’s only another year or so, till it ends forever?
It befuddles me that they’ve been screaming for change and here it is, but still not good news for some reason?
I like the idea of the history of the royals, but their role in Canada should be entirely ceremonial.
But I suspect the reality is if they wanted to emigrate, enough social climbing panjandrums would chomp at the bit and make it very easy, interpreting the rules as generously as needed. I’m not against it. But my opinion is they should pay for their own security.
The Queen’s representative in Canada already comes under perennial scrutiny for their government funded largess but at least the Governor General and co. has a position in our government and work to do. Just imagine the uproar if the Canadian public was responsible for funding the lifestyles of visiting Royals who choose to live in Canada.
The UK often questions why the public should be responsible for funding certain entitlements to the Queen and her family (security/weddings/etc.) and if those financial courtesies (however limited) were ever extended to Harry/Meg, those same questions would be coming here. And worse, unlike the Governor General the Sussexes have no role in our government.
I don’t see how any Canadian government can responsibly offer help to them without jumping into controversy and starting a nationwide discussion. (Considering how popular the Royal establishment is in Canada) I’m also confident the Royal family wouldn’t want us asking ourselves these questions either. I could be wrong though.
Well, it would probably be easy to immigrate even if they weren’t royalty. Former military British man from a well off family with his American wife who’s lived and worked in Canada for years. Plus, they’re good looking.
Eta: you guys are making too much of security costs, imho. It will be quietly dealt with.
Yes, but with the expectation that they were going to be working royals for basically their whole lives as well. The whole “paying for security for people pursuing business opportunities in some foreign country” thing is what rankles, even if it’s allegedly only for a year or so. The change they’ve been screaming for is to end taxpayer support for royals who contribute little to The Firm (Bea and Eug, mostly, but now also their father), not increase the number of royals who contribute little but get tax-funded security anyway.
I really think they should have chosen the USA over Canada. Meghan’s a citizen here and Harry can get a green card on that basis with minimal fuss. They can afford the cost of the paperwork.
Plus, without our complete and lack of utter connection to the British monarchy, however ceremonial like Canada’s, there are no Constitutional and diplomatic issues to work out.
Although for reasons I won’t get into in this thread, more than one American with the means to do so has decided that the USA isn’t the place for them and has gone to Canada.