英ヘンリー王子一家のカナダ新生活、歓迎と困惑の住民ら

【ビクトリアＡＦＰ＝時事】カナダのバンクーバー島で新生活を開始した英国のヘンリー王子とメーガン妃。地域の住民はすでに夫妻がハイキングをするところや地元の市場にいるのを見掛けており、多くが2人を歓迎している一方、メディアの熱狂に困惑の声も上がっている。（写真は英国のヘンリー王子とメーガン妃）
　英王室から「離脱」した現在、ヘンリー王子夫妻は長男のアーチーちゃんと共にバンクーバー島のミルフルールにある木々に囲まれた風光明媚（めいび）な邸宅で暮らしている。
　夫妻宅から近い歩道で犬を散歩させていた近隣住民はＡＦＰに対し、ヘンリー王子一家の新生活に立ち入る行為に反対の立場を示し、夫妻のプライバシーを守ろうとする地元の姿勢は誇れると述べた。
　近くをジョギングしていたメーガン妃に会い、「おはようございます」とあいさつを交わしたというアン・ガーリングさんは、「（プライバシーを侵害する行為は）好きではない。２人をそっとしておくべきだ」と語る。
　またアーチーちゃんが人生初の雪を近所で経験したと聞いて特別な思いを抱いたというスー・スターキーさんは、近隣地域について「非常に友好的」と表現し、「本当に誇らしいのは近隣住民が一家に大変敬意を払っており、干渉しないようにしていること。壁越しにのぞくようなことはしていない」と述べた。
　一方で別の住民ローリー・ケリーさんは、地元が突然世界の注目の的になったことについて不満を示している。
　ケリーさんは他人を詮索するような行為は「カナダ人らしくない」と述べ、「私たちはみんな他人の領域や生活の自由を大切にし、この美しい国を楽しんでいる」「ヘンリー王子一家がここに来ると決めたこと、それは栄誉なことだろう。ただ、そのことが熱狂をあおっている。誰一人としてそれを好ましく思っていない。一家をそっとしておいて、自分たちの生活を送れるようにしてあげる必要があると強く感じている」と述べた。
　一方で、夫妻のバンクーバー島滞在は一時的である可能性がある。現地報道によると、夫妻はバンクーバーまたはトロントの海辺の家の購入を検討しているという。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2020/01/23-08:12）

The new neighbors have been spotted out hiking and down at the farmers' market, but residents of North Saanich say they will ensure privacy for Harry and Meghan at their Canadian island hideaway.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their baby son Archie, are living at the scenic, wooded property of Mille Fleurs on Vancouver Island after exiting from their royal roles.
They planned their shock announcement while staying over Christmas and New Year at the luxurious multimillion-dollar house, which is tucked away behind tall trees and a dark metal gate at the end of a private road.
And the couple are now back together there after Harry finalized the details of their new life and flew back from London.
Residents walking dogs on a path near the house told AFP that they opposed intrusion into Harry and Meghan's new Canadian set-up, and were proud of the local instinct to give them space.
We don't like it. Leave them in peace, said Anne Girling, adding she had met Meghan jogging on a trail nearby and they wished one another Good morning.
Sue Starkey, another dog walker, said it felt special when she heard baby Archie had experienced his first snow in the neighborhood.
She described the area as a really friendly community.
What I've been really proud of is how our neighborhood has been so respectful and giving them space. And, you know, not getting over the top and trying to peek in, she said.
I'm really happy they're here and I hope they can find some peace.
- Attention is 'Not Canadian' -
Locals often walk through a patch of forest just steps away from the home as an occasional seagull and bald eagle wheels overhead.
Businesses where Harry and Meghan have dropped in, including the Fickle Fig Farm Market and the Deep Cove Market, declined interview requests from AFP.
In Sidney, a small seaside town a short drive away, Rachel Remouch, a university student and barista at a coffee shop, said she saw Harry and Meghan hiking in Horth Hill, a popular forest park.
It's hard for a small town trying to keep it quaint and peaceful. We're not used to big frenzies, she said, adding people naturally kept their distance from the couple.
I think it's really cool they're really sticking up for themselves, trying to separate themselves from the monarchy. She reminds me a lot of Diana.
A smiling Meghan, 38, was photographed with Archie taking their dogs for a walk in Horth Hill on Monday.
Another local, Laurie Kelly, said she was unhappy how North Saanich had found itself at the center of global attention.
It's not Canadian, she said. We're all about giving people space, the freedom to live, enjoy our beautiful country.
They've chosen to come here, so it should be an honor. Instead it's a feeding frenzy ... None of us are happy about it. I feel strongly we need to let them be and live their lives.
But Meghan and Harry may not be in North Saanich for long.
According to local reports, the couple are looking to buy a beachside house in Vancouver or possibly in Toronto.