The royal family officially excluded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from various royal events ever since they stepped down from their roles. This includes the Christmas celebration that the family celebrates with the utmost merriment. Though the Sussexes will not be able to make it to the royal celebrations anytime soon, owing to the growing intricacies of their dynamics, they have figured out an alternative way to enjoy the holidays. 

The holiday cheer for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry includes joining the Vancouver Canucks, the local ice hockey squad. It seems like the Sussexes always have a back-plan for every oversight.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Canucks Vancouver ceremony

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle rolled out their Christmas celebrations for the first-ever winter sports program at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. The Duke of Sussex stepped out on Monday and the first ceremonial puck drop ice hockey match between Vancouver Canucks and San Jose. The couple then saw the match from their respective boxes. Apart from the Sussexes, local Indigenous leaders, B.C. Premier David Eby and Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sports Minister Lana Popham were also present at the venue. 

Ahead of the 2025 Invictus event, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staying in Canada. The international multi-sport will take place from February 8th to 16th in 2025 and will include all the winter adaptive sports for sick and wounded veterans from all over the world. However, Prince Harry was not the only royal who dropped a ceremonial puck at the hockey game.

21 years before Prince Harry’s ceremony, another royal family member made her own ceremonial puck drop at a Canucks and Sharks game in Vancouver.

Prince Harry following in the royal footsteps of his family

Prince Harry may have taken his departure from the royal family, but he is still keeping up with some of the traditions. Queen Elizabeth, the late monarch, was the royal family member to grace the red carpet of the National Hockey League. It was during her 11-day visit to Canada in the year 2003. The Queen made the visit in honor of her golden jubilee. She enjoyed the first period of the game from her royal box at the stadium. 

The Invictus Games have been an integral part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship, and so is Vancouver. The Duke and the Duchess spent their first holiday as a family of three in the city of western Canada. Considering the multitude of memories linked to Vancouver and the Invictus Games, the location and the event will serve as the perfect backdrop for the Sussexes to celebrate their holiday season.

What do you think about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first-ever winter sports program? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!