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Meghan Markle photographed for first time since return to Canada

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

The Duchess of Sussex was photographed boarding a seaplane in Canada Tuesday, the first confirmed spotting of the royal since she returned to this side of the pond after announcing last week her family's plan to “step back” from its royal duties.

The duchess was also photographed visiting a Vancouver women's shelter, ITV reported, and took photographs with staff.

The former Meghan Markle also did not call in to a formal royal meeting her husband, Prince Harry, 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 supports 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 in her statement. "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."