The Sun

 by Matt Dathan, Deputy Political Editor

In a letter to Her Majesty, Michael Fabricant says Buckingham Palace’s dilemma over what to do with Prince Harry “could be turned into a huge triumph” if they accept his proposal.

And the MP says that far from being “a cause for sorrow,” the decision by Harry and Meghan to quit the Firm and relocate to Canada could instead be “a wonderful opportunity for both the Royal Family and our country at large”.

He says the move would also bolster the monarchy’s reputation internationally and give the UK “an enormous boost in soft power at an important juncture for our country as we depart the European Union”.

He points to a poll that found six in ten Canadians were in favour of Prince Harry becoming Governor General of Canada.

Mr Fabricant says Prince Harry would be “well-suited to this role” due to his “valiant service in the Army” and charity work.

The Governor is formally appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Canadian PM to carry out her constitutional and ceremonial duties in the country.

‘HUGE TRIUMPH’

The current incumbent is Julie Payette, an astronaut from Quebec, who has served since 2017.

Governors usually serve for five years but there is no constitutional timeframe.

Mr Fabricant says that while she has done a “sterling job,” nobody has the “same kind of box office appeal that Harry does”.

In his letter he writes: “As Your Majesty will no doubt be aware, the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step back from their royal duties to spend more time in North America has caused quite a stir among your loyal subjects.

“While many disapprove of this, may I make the case that this can in fact be a wonderful opportunity for both the Royal Family and our country at large? A challenge could be turned to a huge triumph.”

He adds: “While their methods and approach to royal duties may not always fall in line with tradition, there is no doubting that Harry and Meghan are seen by many of the younger generation as symbols of a new, modern, vibrant monarchy.”

“Installing Harry as Governor General would not only bolster support for the Monarchy internationally, but also provide Canada, and by extension the United Kingdom, an enormous boost in soft power at an important juncture for our country as we depart the European Union.

“There is also little doubt that Harry would be well-suited to this role.

His valiant service in the Army, as well as his numerous charity works, give him more than enough experience to serve as Your Majesty’s representative to Canada.”

The open letter to the Queen:

Madam,

As Your Majesty will no doubt be aware, the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step back from their royal duties to spend more time in North America has caused quite a stir among your loyal subjects.

While many disapprove of this, may I make the case that this can in fact be a wonderful opportunity for both the Royal Family and our country at large?  A challenge could be turned to a huge triumph.

The departure of the Sussexes from these shores need not be a cause for sorrow. A recent Postmedia poll in Canada found that over 60% there were in favour of Prince Harry becoming the Governor General of Canada.

The poll also showed that it was younger Canadians who would be most in favour of such a move, and that even in the generally French republican province of Quebec, almost half would also support this.

The current Governor General, Julie Payette, who has been in post since 2017, has done a sterling job. However, neither she, nor anyone else who has previously held this position, possess the same kind of box office appeal that Harry does.

While their methods and approach to royal duties may not always fall in line with tradition, there is no doubting that Harry and Meghan are seen by many of the younger generation as symbols of a new, modern, vibrant monarchy.

Installing Harry as Governor General would not only bolster support for the Monarchy internationally, but also provide Canada, and by extension the United Kingdom, an enormous boost in soft power at an important juncture for our country as we depart the European Union.

There is also little doubt that Harry would be well-suited to this role. His valiant service in the Army, as well as his numerous charity works, give him more than enough experience to serve as Your Majesty’s representative to Canada.

Procedurally, there would be few barriers to making this a reality. The Governor General is appointed to the role on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister, and while the convention is for the Governor General to serve for around five years, there are no specific constitutional requirements for this.

Thus, if this is something Harry himself wished to do, a call from Her Majesty to Justin Trudeau would go a long way in pushing this along.

I have the honour to remain, Madam, Your Majesty’s most humble and obedient servant.

Read the Sun article in full here.