Buckingham Palace reportedly explored appointing Prince Harry as Governor-General of Canada in a last-ditch effort to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within the royal framework, according to a new royal biography. The proposal, discussed during intense negotiations ahead of the January 2020 Sandringham Summit, was ultimately deemed unworkable.
The Proposed Governor-General Role
The Governor-General serves as the monarch’s official representative in Canada, a senior constitutional position within the Commonwealth realm. According to insiders quoted in the new book, palace aides examined whether Prince Harry could step into the Governor-General post as part of a compromise solution.
The idea was strategic: it would have allowed Harry and Meghan to live outside the UK while maintaining a formal constitutional role. However, one significant obstacle emerged — only a Canadian citizen can hold the Governor-General position. As Prince Harry is not Canadian, the proposal collapsed on legal grounds.
Negotiations Before the Sandringham Summit
In the weeks leading up to the Sandringham Summit, senior aides reportedly worked “round the clock” to develop workable models for the Sussexes’ future. The Governor-General concept was one of five scenarios presented.
Simon Case, then private secretary to Prince William, was among officials tasked with drafting options. According to palace sources, the Governor-General pathway initially appeared promising because Canada held personal significance for the couple — Meghan previously lived in Toronto while filming Suits, and the pair briefly relocated there after stepping back from royal duties.
Why the Governor-General Plan Failed
Despite polling at the time suggesting that 61 percent of Canadians supported the idea of Prince Harry serving as Governor-General, constitutional requirements proved insurmountable. The role mandates Canadian nationality, immediately disqualifying the Duke.
Palace insiders also cited broader complications. Alternative proposals, including overseas Commonwealth or Africa-based roles, raised security and diplomatic concerns. Ultimately, the Governor-General plan joined several other ideas that failed to bridge the divide between the Sussexes and the institution.
“Nothing in Return” During Talks
The new book claims that palace officials repeatedly asked the Duke and Duchess how they envisioned a hybrid working model. According to one senior source, aides received “nothing in return” by way of a concrete operational plan.
At the heart of the disagreement was the couple’s desire for a “half-in, half-out” arrangement — combining royal duties with commercial ventures. Courtiers reportedly argued that such a model would conflict with constitutional expectations, including any Governor-General-type appointment that demands political neutrality.
Aftermath: A New Chapter in California
Following the breakdown of negotiations, the Sussexes relocated permanently to Montecito, California. Since stepping back, they have pursued financial independence through major media and publishing deals.
The reported Governor-General proposal, first referenced in earlier press accounts and now revisited in the new biography, underscores how extensively palace staff explored compromise solutions. Yet even a high-profile constitutional office like Governor-General was not enough to secure agreement.
Key Takeaways
- Buckingham Palace reportedly explored a Governor-General role in Canada for Prince Harry before Megxit.
- The Governor-General position would have made Harry the monarch’s official representative in Canada.
- Legal requirements stipulate that only a Canadian national can serve as Governor-General, ending the proposal.
- The idea was one of five options discussed ahead of the Sandringham Summit.
- Negotiations failed amid disagreements over a hybrid royal-commercial model.
- The Sussexes ultimately relocated to California and pursued independent ventures.
