Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan leave Canada to set up permanent home in California

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex fled Canada before Donald Trump shut the borders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making California their permanent home
• The move has been planned for some time as that's where their support network is based
• Meghan has friends in the Los Angeles area and it's where her mum, Doria Ragland, lives
• It follows royal news that Prince Charles was diagnosed with COVID-19

At the start of the year Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the shock decision to step back as senior royals and relocate to Canada - where they planned to raise Archie in as normal way as possible.

But, just two months after their controversial announcement and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are relocating again.

This time the couple have made a permanent move to California - where they have a string of friends and contacts, as well as Meghan's mum, Doria Ragland.

While the move had been "planned" for some time, the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the threat that brings meant the couple brought their plans forward and flew to California before the borders were shut.

According to The Sun, a royal insider said, "Harry and Meghan have left Canada now for good. The borders were closing and flights were stopping. They had to get out.

“But this move was planned for some time. They realised Canada would not work out for various reasons and they want to be based in the Los Angeles area.

“They have a big support network there. It’s where their new team of Hollywood agents and PRs and business managers are based. Meghan has lots of friends there and, of course, her mum Doria."

The news comes just one day after Meghan's latest venture - a charity film with Disney, which she'll provide the voiceover - was announced.

It is thought the deal was done after Prince Harry was spotted chatting to Disney boss, Bob Iger, at the premiere of The Lion King in London last year.

Although it's a far cry from her role within the Royal Firm, it seems Meghan is keen to get back to her acting roots and take on more work like this in the future.

“For Meghan, this type of work is going to be coming out of Hollywood going forward," the insider added.

"She feels comfortable there around her people and has projects already planned like her children’s book.”