Meghan and Harry set their sights on a new home

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look ahead to the start of their new lives away from the confines of the British Royal Family, it has emerged that they may set up a home in California in the US, close to where Meghan's mum Doria Ragland lives.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been staying at a residence on Vancouver Island in Canada since December, 2019, and while they complete their remaining engagements in the UK this month, their son Archie, 10-months, remains there with his nanny and Meghan's best friend Jessica Mulroney.

The couple resigned as senior royals in January, 2020, announcing that they intended to live independent lives.

As part of the initial announcement they said they'd divide their time between the UK and Canada.

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Now they are also expected to spend time in Meghan's hometown of Los Angeles, at least for the North American Summer.

Meghan feels at home in Canada as she spent years living there while filming hit US TV series Suits. However she grew up in California where her father worked as a lighting director for several shows including General Hospital and Married with Children.

A royal insider has told PEOPLE: "This is what Meghan and Harry have always wanted — to create their own life. It's got to feel like an immense relief to get out of the U.K. and go down their own path."

Doria lives and works in LA as a social worker and a yoga instructor. It is understood that Meghan has a huge support network in California, as she does in Canada.

"They love being in Canada, but they are looking at houses in L.A. too," the insider continued. "They'll likely have houses in both places."