King Charles has issued a heartfelt message to the people of Canada just days after Meghan Markle departed from the country, which is currently hosting the seventh Invictus Games

King Charles has issued a heartfelt ‘message to the people of Canada’ days after the Duchess of Sussex left the country.

Meghan Markle had accompanied her husband, Prince Harry, to British Columbia where the couple were prominent figures at the seventh Invictus Games, hosted in Vancouver and Whistler. However, Meghan departed as planned on Tuesday (February 11) to reunite with her children at the couple’s home in California.

Following her exit, the Royal Family issued a message on its official X account, commemorating the flag of Canada turning 60. “On this day in 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill,” the post, shared on Saturday (February 15) read

Attached was a letter written in both English and French – Canada’s two national languages – honouring the occasion. “Today my wife [Queen Camilla] and I [King Charles] join with Canadians across Canada, and around the world, to commemorate an important milestone – the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

“On February 15, 1965, the red and white maple leaf was first flown on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Since that time, it has become internationally recognised as a symbol of a proud, resilient and compassionate country.

“For my own part, it is a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration, as I recall with the deepest affection my many Canadian visits and friendships.”

Before the red and white maple leaf the world has come to know, Canada’s flag was known as the Canadian Red Ensign. Set against a red background was the Union Jack in the upper-left corner and the shield of the coat of arms of Canada to the right.

The message comes after a number of royals from other nations travelled to Canada to catch the final days of the Invictus Games. Danish royals Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are among several household names who joined Harry in Canada following his wife’s departure.

The royal couple attended several events on Friday and Saturday, taking in competitions showcasing the sporting talents of wounded or sick military personnel from across the world. Other attendees include Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Nelly Furtado and Michael Buble.

The Games are set to come to an end this weekend, with the closing ceremony taking place later today (Sunday, February 16). Speaking about the decision to once again hold the competition in Canada, Harry previously said: “There’s a reason the Invictus Games have come back to Canada, because you guys have snow!”

He added: “It is one of the most incredible things. I am so grateful is the entire organizing committee and the government-every single level, here in Canada, for making this, we couldn’t have done this without support right from the get-go.”

“And for those of you that don’t know, it is a logistical nightmare to be able to pull this together and the team have done it and we’ve now got one year to work all together and to give people incredible – in some instances, life-changing – experience to these competitors and their families.”