Just days after Meghan Markle’s departure from Canada, King Charles has extended a ‘message to the people of Canada’.

The Duchess of Sussex had been in British Columbia with Prince Harry for the seventh Invictus Games, hosted in Vancouver and Whistler.

Meghan returned to California on Tuesday (February 11) as scheduled, to reunite with their two children.

Following her exit, the Royal Family shared a touching message via social media to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada.

“On this day in 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill,” read the post from Saturday (February 15). Accompanying the post was a bilingual letter, reflecting Canada’s dual national languages, paying tribute to the occasion.

“Today my wife [Queen Camilla] and I [King Charles] join with Canadians across Canada, and around the world, to commemorate an important milestone – the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

“On February 15, 1965, the red and white maple leaf was first flown on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Since that time, it has become internationally recognised as a symbol of a proud, resilient and compassionate country.”

“For my own part, it is a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration, as I recall with the deepest affection my many Canadian visits and friendships.”

Canada’s national emblem, the striking red and white maple leaf flag, wasn’t always as we know it today. Prior to its current design, the country’s flag was the Canadian Red Ensign, featuring the Union Jack in the top-left corner and the shield of Canada’s coat of arms on the right side, reports Aberdeen Live.

The tidbit comes amid several royals’ visits to Canada for the final stretch of the Invictus Games. Among these royals were Denmark’s Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, who have been spotted at a number of events since Harry’s spouse left.

The Royal duo graced multiple competitions over Friday and Saturday, showcasing the prowess of wounded or sick military staff members from around the globe. Notable figures such as Chris Martin from Coldplay, Nelly Furtado, and Michael Buble were also in attendance.

As the games draw to a close this weekend, with the closing ceremony scheduled for later today (Sunday, February 16), remarking on Canada’s selection again for the Invictus Games venue, Harry previously commented: “There’s a reason the Invictus Games have come back to Canada, because you guys have snow! “.

He concluded: “It is one of the most incredible things. I am so grateful is the entire organizing committee and the government-every single level, here in Canada, for making this, we couldn’t have done this without support right from the get-go.

“And for those of you that don’t know, it is a logistical nightmare to be able to pull this together and the team have done it and we’ve now got one year to work all together and to give people incredible – in some instances, life-changing – experience to these competitors and their families.”