Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have jetted off to Canada where they made a surprise appearance at a hockey game in Vancouver Monday night.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they watched the Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks from the comfort of a VIP box at the Rogers Arena.
What’s more, Harry was the guest of honor as he took part in the ceremonial puck drop ahead of the match-up as San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes stood on either side.
The exiled royal’s puck drop came 21 years after his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, took part in the same custom when the two teams went head-to-head back in 2002.
Her Late Majesty visited Vancouver during an 11-day tour of Canada in honor of her Golden Jubilee.
Hertl spoke after the game about Harry’s puck drop.
Harry was the guest of honor as he even made the ceremonial first puck drop ahead of the match-up. NHLI via Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they watched the Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks. AP“I actually had to tell him [to drop the puck] because he keeps holding and smiling,” he said. “I’d say ‘it’s time to drop it’ but it’s a cool moment. For sure I will remember that one.”
Meanwhile, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet spoke of his brief interaction with the prince.
“I gave him a fist bump, I don’t know if you’re allowed to do that. I did it, he did it. He kind of looked at me but he did it,” Tocchet shared.
At one point in the game, the pair were seen cheering up out of their seats. @Canucks / X
Harry beamed as as San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes stood on either side. APThe Canucks ultimately emerged victorious in Monday night’s head-to-head, winning 3-1 against the Sharks.
The Sussexes are no strangers to Canada, and are even planning to have the next Invictus Games take place in Vancouver and Whistler in 2025.
Harry, 39, set up the the annual event in 2014 in a bid to bring veterans together.
Harry’s puck drop came 21 years after his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, made her own ceremonial puck drop ahead of the same match up in 2002. AFP via Getty Images
The Sussexes watched the game from the comfort of a VIP box at the Rogers Arena. @Canucks / XThe Sussexes are no strangers to Canada, as it was their first pit stop after quitting royal life in 2020.
The pair’s love for Canada runs deep, and plays a key part in the early days of their love story back in 2017.
The duchess, 42, was filming “Suits” in Canada at the time she struck up a romance with Harry and the pair even made their debut as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.
The pair appeared in good spirits at the match-up. @Canucks / XWhat’s more, after they both stepped away from royal life in 2020, the pair — along with their son Archie –spent their first holiday season as a family of three in 2019 on Vancouver Island.
Soon after, the pair set up camp in Montecito, Calif., where they have remained since.
