Democratic institutions are bracing for another dramatic moment on the world stage. King Charles III and Queen Camilla have just landed in Canada, stirring fresh debate as President Donald Trump’s push to make Canada the 51st U.S. state continues to ripple across both sides of the border.
According to Fox News, King Charles arrived in Ottawa on Monday for a two-day visit, marking his first trip to Canada since ascending the throne in September 2022. The visit is widely seen as a show of support for Canada in the face of Trump’s recent annexation talk, a move that has drawn both support and outrage.
The symbolic nature of the king’s trip is underscored by his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon on the tarmac at Ottawa Airport. Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, has kept a limited schedule, making this visit a notable gesture of commitment to one of the 15 countries where he remains monarch.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently elected following a campaign marked by strong anti-annexation rhetoric, wasted no time making his position clear. He personally invited King Charles to open Canada’s Parliament—something no British monarch has done in nearly seven decades. The move is seen as both a nod to tradition and a signal to Washington that Ottawa won’t be pushed around.
Carney’s stance has been unwavering since Trump first floated the idea of acquiring Canada. In a meeting at the White House earlier this month, Carney told Trump that “Canada is not for sale” and “won’t be for sale, ever.” The Canadian prime minister’s firm opposition proved popular with voters, helping secure his party’s re-election just weeks ago.
Canada’s envoy to the U.K., Ralph Goodale, reinforced this message during Charles’s visit to Canada House in London, telling reporters, “The prime minister has made it clear that Canada is not for sale now, is not for sale ever.” According to Goodale, Charles’s presence in Canada will “reinforce the power and the strength of that message.”
While President Trump’s suggestion of annexing Canada initially drew skepticism, he has continued to bring up the idea in public and private settings. Supporters argue that such a move would only strengthen the United States. Critics, however, see it as a clear violation of Canadian sovereignty.
Trump’s praise for the British royal family, including King Charles, has been consistent throughout his presidency. Yet, his overtures toward Canada have been met with resistance not only from Canadian leaders but also from segments of the American public who see the proposal as impractical and needlessly provocative.
Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, is facing his own delicate balancing act. Starmer recently delivered Trump an invitation from King Charles for an unprecedented second state visit—an olive branch that has reportedly upset many in Canada. Canadian officials say that while the U.K. is pursuing its own diplomatic interests, Ottawa is standing firm on its independence.
Observers point out that King Charles has been making subtle gestures of solidarity with Canada in recent months. He has worn Canadian medals, referred to himself as “the king of Canada,” and publicly described the nation’s flag as “a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration.”
Charles’s visit comes at a time when his own health has limited his public appearances. Still, the king accepted Carney’s invitation to open Parliament on Tuesday, marking a historic moment not seen since Queen Elizabeth’s visit 68 years ago. The event is expected to draw attention across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Queen Camilla accompanied the king on this high-profile trip, with both royals receiving a warm welcome from Canadian officials and local residents alike. Their arrival at Ottawa Airport was marked by formal greetings and separate meetings with Carney and Simon, underscoring the deep ties between Canada and the U.K.
Despite the pageantry of the royal visit, observers say serious questions remain about the future of U.S.-Canada relations. Carney’s government faces ongoing pressure from both domestic and international voices as Trump’s annexation rhetoric refuses to fade from the headlines.
Tensions in the diplomatic arena are further complicated by Britain’s efforts to secure favorable trade deals and find common ground with Washington over the Ukraine conflict. For now, Ottawa appears united in its rejection of any deal that would threaten its sovereignty, but political dynamics can change quickly.
As for King Charles, his symbolic backing of Canada is likely to be remembered as a defining moment of his early reign. How this gesture will affect the broader debate remains to be seen, as both critics and supporters of Trump’s proposal continue to speak out on both sides of the border.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla touched down in Ottawa on Monday, greeted by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, in a visit that signals strong support for Canada’s sovereignty. Their trip comes amid President Trump’s renewed push to make Canada the 51st state—a proposal that has galvanized Canadian leaders and public opinion alike.
The king’s decision to open Parliament, a first since Queen Elizabeth’s visit 68 years ago, underscores the seriousness of the moment. As Canada’s government stands firm against Trump’s annexation idea, all eyes now turn to how the U.S. administration will respond to this dramatic show of royal and political unity.
