Meghan and Harry's love note to NZ on Waitangi Day

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have written a personal note to New Zealand on Waitangi Day.

The couple - who have stepped back from royal duties and now live in Canada - said on Instagram they were "sending our very best" to their Kiwi followers.

"As a commonwealth country and a realm, today we honour the spirit and diversity of New Zealand, and we feel particularly reminded of the special time we had there during our tour in 2018.

"The Duke and Duchess send their best wishes to all the people of New Zealand.

"I tēnei rā, ka tuku mihi maioha te Tiuka me te Tāhihi ki ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa."

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To all of our Kiwi followers, sending our very best to each of you on Waitangi Day! 🇳🇿 • As a commonwealth country and a realm, today we honour the spirit and diversity of New Zealand, and we feel particularly reminded of the special time we had there during our tour in 2018. • The Duke and Duchess send their best wishes to all the people of New Zealand. I tēnei rā, ka tuku mihi maioha te Tiuka me te Tāhihi ki ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa. Image © PA / High Commissioner

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:02am PST

Prince Harry's brother William and wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, followed on their own Instagram account with a message.

"Ko tēnei rā o Waitangi ko te rā hararei o te motu o Aotearoa.‬
‪ ‬
"‪Tēnei te tuku mihi maioha ki ngā kaitautāwhi katoa o Aotearoa.

"Today marks New Zealand's national holiday #WaitangiDay‬ ‪Sending our best wishes to all of our followers in New Zealand."

View this post on Instagram

‪Ko tēnei rā o Waitangi ko te rā hararei o te motu o Aotearoa.‬ ‪ ‬ ‪Tēnei te tuku mihi maioha ki ngā kaitautāwhi katoa o Aotearoa. Today marks New Zealand’s national holiday #WaitangiDay‬ ‪Sending our best wishes to all of our followers in New Zealand 🇳🇿‬

A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) on Feb 5, 2020 at 11:10am PST

Buckingham Palace also sent a message to New Zealand via its The Royal Family Twitter account.

"Today, communities across new New Zealand will be marking Waitangi Day," the tweet read, with an image of the Queen at Waitangi during a previous visit to New Zealand.

Today, communities across new New Zealand will be marking Waitangi Day. The national holiday commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, widely consider to be the document which founded modern New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/f11SuNj5KA

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 5, 2020

Meanwhile, People magazine reported the Sussexes have been enjoying their time away from the spotlight.

A source told People magazine the couple felt their decision to leave had been hanging over them for a long time, but now they feel a "weight has been lifted off their shoulders".

Another source revealed the couple had quickly adapted to life outside of Britain, saying: "They are enjoying living a quiet life... They are real homebodies who love to chill out with Archie and the dogs."

Last month, the Sussexes announced they were stepping back as senior members of the royal family.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement they would no longer receive public funds for royal duties.

"With The Queen's blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty."

The Sussexes will not use their royal highness titles and would repay what they spent on the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.