The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex chose California as their permanent base after they announced they were stepping back from their royal duties last year. Following the bombshell news, the couple made clear their intentions to split their time between North America and the UK, initially spending time on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

       They settled in an ￡11.2million Santa Barbara mansion - on show in a recent video released for Meghan's 40th birthday.

       But the couple even considered relocating to New Zealand, one of the country’s top officials said.

       If correct, it would mean Harry and Meghan’s plans to leave the Britain date back to months after their 2018 wedding.

       Dame Patsy Reddy, New Zealand’s governor-general, said the couple spoke about moving there during their 2018 royal tour of the nation.

       She added that the couple asked for her opinion about the potential move.

       Dame Patsy said: "When we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible.

       "Of course, we said, 'Sure. It would be fine' - there are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but that would be something that they'd have to explore.

       "They were looking at how they might raise their family and obviously they've made some decisions since."

       The couple have since gone on to live independently from the Royal Family and have two children together - Archie Harrison, two, and Lilibet Diana, who was born in June.