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Meghan Markle photographed for 1st time since return to Canada

She returned to Canada where baby Archie had stayed following their long Christmas holiday.
/ Source: TODAY

The Duchess of Sussex was photographed boarding a sea plane in Canada, the first confirmed spotting of the royal since she returned to this side of the pond after she and husband Prince Harry announced last week their plans to “step back” from royal duties.

The former Meghan Markle also did not call in to a formal royal meeting her husband had with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William Monday to discuss their future as a family as they had initially planned, a palace official told NBC News on Tuesday.

"In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn’t necessary for the duchess to join,'' the official said.

Queen Elizabeth released a statement following the meeting saying she supported her grandson and his wife in the wake of their bombshell announcement.

"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,'' she said. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."

The duchess was also photographed visiting a Vancouver women's shelter, ITV reported.

Multiple media outlets in the U.K. have reported Harry stayed behind in London. His brother, William, went back to business Tuesday — handing out medals and showing off his British Sign Language skills at Buckingham Palace. He used BSL to congratulate Alex Duguid — the face of popular British TV shows as a BSL interpreter — who won an award for making a positive impact with his work.

Behind the scenes, NBC News previously reported, royal officials are working to hammer out the new normal for the Sussexes, including their future finances, royal duties, global brand and their titles.