This week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (opens in new tab) dropped a bombshell by announcing their decision to step down from their roles as senior members of the royal family; not only have the pair decided to stop living in the royal family, but they have also announced plans to leave the UK at least part-time.

In a statement announcing the change, Harry and Meghan (open in new tab) revealed that they plan to split their time between the UK and North America.

However, some sharp-eyed royal watchers were not as surprised as we were by Harry and Meghan's announcement (opens in new tab). Apparently, during the Sussex family's vacation trip to Canada (opens in new tab), there was a big hint that they were planning at least a semi-permanent move: the couple brought their dog.

Traveling abroad with pets is no ordinary feat, even for royalty. A source told the Daily Mail (opens in new tab) that Princess Meghan would not have given her sheltered beagle, Guy, the stress of travel if the move would not have lasted a while.

"Both the Duke and Duchess adore the dog, and Guy had already been moved from Canada to London when Meghan moved," a source told the Daily Mail. 'She would never have considered moving again for him unless it was at least semi-permanent.

When Harry and Meghan (open in new tab) initially returned to the UK for the announcement, the dogs stayed behind with their son Archie Harrison. A royal source (opens in new tab) who spoke to the paper said that this was "in hindsight the biggest clue that they were unlikely to return from this so-called vacation."

Another major clue is that Meghan and Archie (opens in new tab) have no intention of returning to the UK anytime soon. The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly back in Vancouver with her son, while Harry is in England, completing a jam-packed week of plans before returning to reunite with his family.

On Thursday, the Mail reported that the black love was spotted roaming the grounds of the luxurious £10.7 million estate on Vancouver Island where the royal family spent their vacations.

"There were no dogs on the property and at least one dog is still there. My husband also heard a British accent around the property yesterday," 76-year-old Trudy Bennett, who lives near her Canadian home, told the Mail on Thursday night.

Princess Meghan, Archie, and the Sussex puppies are expected to stay in Canada for a while.

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

Click here to register (opens in new tab) [23]