Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the royal baby Archie are celebrating Christmas in Greater Victoria.
Bev Koffel, who owns the Deep Cove Chalet with her husband chef Pierre Koffel, said she has seen the royal couple and met with their security guards at the elegant waterfront restaurant in North Saanich.
Prince Harry has also been seen several times hiking Horth Hill, said Koffel.
鈥淗orth Hill鈥檚 become a very popular place now. And they jog around, so they鈥檝e been seen,鈥� said Koffel. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of exciting. I hope everything goes fine for them. They鈥檙e breaking away from tradition and I just wish them all the best.鈥�
Last weekend, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and baby Archie would spend the festive season in sa国际传媒.
Though the Buckingham Palace did not specify in its statement where the royal couple will be visiting during their time in sa国际传媒, it did say that Harry and Meghan鈥檚 decision to base themselves in the country 鈥渞eflects the importance of this Commonwealth country to them both.鈥�
鈥淭he Duke of Sussex has been a frequent visitor to sa国际传媒 over many years, and it was also home to The Duchess for seven years before she became a member of the Royal Family,鈥� the statement continued. 鈥淭hey are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.鈥�
On Dec. 20, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed the royal family on Twitter.
鈥淧rince Harry, Meghan, and Archie, we鈥檙e all wishing you a quiet and blessed stay in sa国际传媒. You鈥檙e among friends, and always welcome here.鈥�
Koffel said security guards came down and talked to her last week.
鈥淭hey said 鈥楬ow did you figure out who we were?鈥� And I said 鈥業t wasn鈥檛 too hard.鈥欌��
Now Koffel is keeping close to the phone because her husband Pierre was the one who answered when the royals wanted to make a reservation. He turned them down because of the security required.
鈥淎nyhow, you know what Pierre鈥檚 like. We鈥檒l see what happens,鈥� she laughed, adding that she wants them to enjoy their time here.
鈥淟et them have their peace and quiet. For us to be so lucky to have them in the area, how lucky is that?鈥� said Koffel. 鈥淚 wish them all the privacy they can possibly get. They deserve it.鈥�
Koffel said she bought two books for Harry and Meghan during the summer and planned to send them to them. She bought Paseka: A Little Elephant, Brave by Ruth James because of their love for Africa. She also bought them a copy of Neekah鈥檚 Knitting Needle, illustrated by her neighbour Sheena Lott.
鈥淚 hope to meet them one day. I hope they get my books.鈥�
Just sharing the sweetest Christmas Card from our President and Vice-President, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Very Merry Christmas, everyone!
鈥� The Queen's Commonwealth Trust (@queenscomtrust)
Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie, we鈥檙e all wishing you a quiet and blessed stay in sa国际传媒. You鈥檙e among friends, and always welcome here.
鈥� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)
