Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a historic visit to the Squamish Nation in British Columbia, Canada, marking a significant moment of reconciliation for the Indigenous community.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aged 40 and 43 respectively, spent time at the Squamish Indigenous "language nest", where they participated in traditional ceremonies and met with families.
The visit has been hailed as particularly meaningful, with Squamish spokesperson Wilson Williams noting it "righted the wrongs of the past" following King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's failure to meet with the community during their 1939 Canadian tour.
The royal couple appeared at ease as they joined Squamish community members, getting down on the floor to play with children at the facility dedicated to teaching the Squamish language.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle thanked for 'righting the wrongs' of the Royal Family
Instagram / Chief Ian Campbell
Prince Harry was captured on video playing with a baby whilst singing Indigenous songs and clapping hands.
In touching scenes, the Duke was seen nestling his head against a young child's face, whilst Meghan beamed at a little girl she held in her arms.
The couple, parents to Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, joined families who are raising their children to be fluent Squamish language speakers.
During their visit, the couple participated in a traditional ceremony where Prince Harry played a drum and Meghan used clappers whilst children danced around them.
Meghan Markle playing with an adorable baby during a visit to the Squamish Nation
Instagram / Chief Ian Campbell
A powerful performance by 90 students from the Capilano Little Ones School concluded the visit.
The Squamish Nation presented the couple with meaningful gifts, including a Squamish language dictionary, the nation's history book, and a children's book in the Indigenous language for Archie and Lilibet.
Meghan later shared her gratitude on social media, writing: "Thank you for welcoming us onto your sacred land."
The couple were also photographed clapping in appreciation as they watched traditional Indigenous performances.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posing with people they met during their visit
Instagram / Chief Ian Campbell
Wilson Williams explained to Town & Country magazine how in 1939, the Squamish Nation had prepared extensively for a royal visit that never materialised.
"Squamish Nation were advised that the Royal Family would stop, so Chief Capilano's son carved two totem poles, and they built an arch over Marine Drive," he said.
The community had prepared gifts, as per their tradition, making the royal absence particularly painful.
"It was heartbreaking for our people," Williams noted, adding that Harry and Meghan's visit represented true reconciliation.
"We broke a lot of barriers. We cleared a big path for our Indigenous people to say: 'Hey, this is righting a wrong.'"
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince Harry playing with a young child during his visit
Instagram / Chief Ian Campbell
The visit follows the couple's attendance at the Invictus Games in Vancouver, where Harry recently confirmed that "one or two kids is probably enough".
The Duke and Duchess spent three nights in Vancouver before moving to Whistler for the winter sports segment of the games, which featured adaptive winter sports for the first time.
Meghan's presence at the games underscored her support for the Invictus mission, a cause deeply personal to them both.
The couple, who first appeared publicly together at the 2017 Toronto Invictus Games, were seen showing affection in the Vancouver stands, with Meghan snuggling into Harry before sharing a passionate kiss.
