King Charles is heading to Canada this Monday—not just for ceremony, but to show genuine love and support for a country that has long held him close as its sovereign.
Despite undergoing cancer treatment, the 76-year-old monarch is making the two-day journey alongside Queen Camilla, a powerful sign of his enduring bond with the Canadian people. His visit comes at a time when Canada finds itself in the global spotlight—not for what it is, but for what some wish it to become. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the provocative idea of annexing Canada as America’s “51st state”—a notion Canadians have rejected with firm resolve.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently elected in part due to his strong stance against such ideas, warmly invited the King to open Canada’s Parliament. It’s a deeply symbolic moment: the last time a British monarch carried out this role was 68 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth did so.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear: Canada is not for sale now, and never will be,” said Ralph Goodale, Canada’s envoy to the UK, during a recent event at Canada’s High Commission attended by the King. “His Majesty’s presence reinforces that message in the most dignified way possible.”
King Charles has already been showing his quiet solidarity with Canada—wearing Canadian honors, referring to himself as the “King of Canada,” and praising the Canadian flag as a symbol of pride. His trip is a continuation of that love, expressed not just in words, but through action.
While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tries to maintain diplomatic warmth with Trump—particularly around Ukraine and trade—Canadians remain protective of their national identity. Carney noted that Starmer’s invite for a second royal state visit for Trump had rubbed many the wrong way.
On this visit, Charles and Camilla will meet local artists and vendors in Ottawa, join in a street hockey puck drop, and even plant a tree—a small but meaningful gesture of growth and connection. On Tuesday, the royal couple will arrive at the Canadian Senate in a grand horse-drawn carriage, where King Charles will deliver the “Speech from the Throne,” marking only the third time in history a sovereign has done so in Canada.
“It’s a momentous occasion,” said Canadian Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault. “This visit unites us—reminding us of our shared history, the strength of our democracy, and the institutions that reflect who we are as Canadians.”
This isn’t just royal protocol. It’s a heartfelt reminder that Canada, for all its modern pride and independence, still holds a special place for the King—and he, clearly, holds one for Canada.
