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PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle couldn't keep their hands off each other as they went back to work today after a six-week break away from the spotlight.

The relaxed-looking royals arrived at Canada's High Commission in London this afternoon, to thank staff for the "warm" hospitality while on holiday in the country.

 Prince Harry touches his wife's arm as they arrive to visit the Canadian High Commissioner
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Prince Harry touches his wife's arm as they arrive to visit the Canadian High CommissionerCredit: Rex Features
 The couple were as tactile as ever - looking very happy together as they arrived in central London
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The couple were as tactile as ever - looking very happy together as they arrived in central London
 The held hands as they made their way into Canada House - looking relaxed and happy
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The held hands as they made their way into Canada House - looking relaxed and happyCredit: Goff Photos
 The Duchess grinned and laughed as she met with staff at Canada House
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The Duchess grinned and laughed as she met with staff at Canada House
 The happy pair were still holding hands when they left after the meeting
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The happy pair were still holding hands when they left after the meetingCredit: Getty - Contributor

They were away for Christmas with their eight-month-old son Archie and were spotted out and about by locals near where they were staying on Vancouver Island.

The pair were seen jogging in North Saanich by locals and hiking in Horth Hill Regional Park - near to the exclusive French restaurant Deep Cove Chalet.

Buckingham Palace said today the couple wanted to meet Janice Charette, Canada's High Commissioner to the UK, as well as staff to "thank them for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay".

The smiling couple held hands and frequently touched each other's arms and backs as they greeted well-wishers and met staff at the High Commission.

They laughed and joked around, visibly relaxed after their break, as they resumed royal duties.

During their time off, the couple missed the Queen's traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace and the gathering of royals at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

The Queen was said to have been on board with the Sussexes' plans, which followed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's past move to spend Christmas with Kate's parents.

They posted a Christmas card with an unseen picture of growing Archie online while on their break.

 Meghan stunned in a brown turtleneck and satin skirt
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Meghan stunned in a brown turtleneck and satin skirtCredit: Getty - Contributor
 The couple looked happy with how their day had gone as they left Canada House
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The couple looked happy with how their day had gone as they left Canada HouseCredit: EPA
 They smiled as they chatted with staff inside the High Commission
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They smiled as they chatted with staff inside the High CommissionCredit: AFP
 Harry and Meghan inside Canada House tucking into tea and Nanaimo bars in the British Columbia Room
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Harry and Meghan inside Canada House tucking into tea and Nanaimo bars in the British Columbia RoomCredit: Twitter/JenABar
 She and her husband, Harry, looked relaxed as they resumed their duties
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She and her husband, Harry, looked relaxed as they resumed their dutiesCredit: Splash News
 Harry steered his wife towards the High Commission with a protective hand
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Harry steered his wife towards the High Commission with a protective handCredit: Goff Photos
 The Duchess was seen smiling broadly as she arrived in central London this afternoon
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The Duchess was seen smiling broadly as she arrived in central London this afternoonCredit: Goff Photos
 The Duke and Duchess visiting Canada House this afternoon to thank staff there for the welcome they had while on holiday in Canada
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The Duke and Duchess visiting Canada House this afternoon to thank staff there for the welcome they had while on holiday in CanadaCredit: Reuters
 The pair looked happy and kept touching each other as they walked into the High Commission
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The pair looked happy and kept touching each other as they walked into the High CommissionCredit: Rex Features
 Meghan waved to crowds as she walked into Canada House following the couple's Christmas break
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Meghan waved to crowds as she walked into Canada House following the couple's Christmas breakCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Meghan laughs as Prince Harry makes a joke while talking to the crowds
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Meghan laughs as Prince Harry makes a joke while talking to the crowdsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Dozens of people had come out to greet the royal couple as they head back to work
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Dozens of people had come out to greet the royal couple as they head back to workCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear in public for the first time in six weeks after a break
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear in public for the first time in six weeks after a breakCredit: Rex Features
 Meghan meets with Janice Charette, High Commissioner in Canada
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Meghan meets with Janice Charette, High Commissioner in CanadaCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 She looked refreshed and happy after the Christmas break and six weeks off work
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She looked refreshed and happy after the Christmas break and six weeks off work
 The smiled and laughed as they arrived at Canada House
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The smiled and laughed as they arrived at Canada HouseCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

It featured a black and white snap with the youngster crawling towards the camera as his doting parents laughed at his antics.

The Sun exclusively revealed that Archie celebrated his first Christmas in an exclusive corner of Vancouver Island - 5,000 miles away from the rest of the Royal Family.

As they vacationed they were spotted by a couple who were struggling to take a photograph of themselves with a selfie stick - with Meghan and Harry offering to take the shot. 

During 2019, the pair faced reports of a rift, first between Meghan and Kate and then between Harry and his brother William.

In a television documentary broadcast last October, Harry, when asked about the situation, said he loved his brother dearly but they were "on different paths at the moment" and have "good days" and "bad days" in their relationship.

William, the Queen and other senior royals were said to have been left "very worried" about the Sussexes after their emotional appearance on the ITV programme, filmed during their tour of Africa last autumn.

In August, Prince Harry defended the couple's controversial use of private jets and insisted that he only uses them to keep his family "safe".

This summer it was revealed that "eco-warriors" Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took four private jets in 11 days as they jetted out to Elton John's £15m home in France with Archie in tow.

 Meghan waved happily as the couple arrived at Canada House
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Meghan waved happily as the couple arrived at Canada HouseCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Harry sidesteps around Meghan as they chat to well-wishers clutching Canadian flags
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Harry sidesteps around Meghan as they chat to well-wishers clutching Canadian flags
 The couple seemed happy to be back in London as they visited Canada House
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The couple seemed happy to be back in London as they visited Canada HouseCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 They spoke happily to people gathered outside the High Commission for their arrival
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They spoke happily to people gathered outside the High Commission for their arrivalCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The royal family released a Christmas card showcasing how much Archie has grown
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 The royal family released a Christmas card showcasing how much Archie has grownCredit: Refer to Caption
 In a video to mark the end of the year royal fans were also treated to another new glimpse of Archie being held by his dad
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In a video to mark the end of the year royal fans were also treated to another new glimpse of Archie being held by his dadCredit: PA:Press Association
 They also posted about their plans to continue 'highlight accounts that inspire' on their Instagram account
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They also posted about their plans to continue 'highlight accounts that inspire' on their Instagram accountCredit: Refer to Caption
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry share new photo of Archie in their 2019 highlights reel