SUSSEX, N.B. -- The town of Sussex, N.B., is enjoying the spotlight after tongue-in-cheek suggestions that it would be the logical landing spot for the planned move to Canada by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne says people in the community are having fun with the attention and appreciate any opportunity to boast about what the community has to offer.
"We realize the likelihood of them living in Sussex is probably next to none, but it's a fun thing to play with and talk about and have a little bit of fun," Thorne said Wednesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently announced they will step down from their royal duties and split their time between Canada and the U.K.
Thorne said the topic has been all the talk at local coffee shops.
"The response has been great. I've had lots of texts and emails," he said. "It has been very well received."
The mayor said any time the royals find themselves in Eastern Canada, they are welcome to drop by Sussex, which is named after the corner of southeastern England that also gives the dukedom its name.
Sussex has hosted members of the royal family in the past, including the Queen in 2002.
Thorne says he expects the brush with fame will be fleeting. "Everyone is enjoying it this week, and next week we will have more important things to think about," he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2020.
