King Charles is being strongly urged to issue a subtle ‘hands off Canada’ warning to Donald Trump when he makes an historic speech later this month.
The US President has caused widespread consternation by repeatedly calling for Canada to become America’s 51st state.
In what is considered a deliberately symbolic gesture, Charles is set to inaugurate a new parliamentary session in Ottawa on May 27, where he will present the traditional ‘speech from the throne’—a duty a monarch hasn’t performed in nearly five decades.
The royal visit is in itself a strong gesture of support, yet many believe that as Canada’s head of state, Charles should take it a step further by making it clear to Mr. Trump that the nation is not to be meddled with.
The speech, which introduces the Canadian government’s agenda, will be written for Charles who is bound by the Royal Family’s political neutrality.
Despite certain constraints, there’s an escalating sentiment that even if Charles were to insert just one carefully chosen phrase of his own, it would convey a powerful message.
Artur Wilczynski, a former Canadian ambassador, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I would like to hear the King read a speech that says Canada is and will continue to be a strong, vibrant and independent nation and that Canada is not for sale at any price. And I’d like him to say that as our sovereign and head of the Commonwealth, I will continue to support and defend the will of the Canadian people to pursue your national aspirations. Vive le Canada.’
Elizabeth May, the country’s Green Party leader, said: ‘I understand and respect the limits of what a monarch can say at any time. But in visiting Canada at this time any Canadian would welcome the smallest reference to “God Save Canada”, that Canada is a valued member of the Commonwealth family of nations.’
King Charles (left) is being strongly urged to issue a subtle ‘hands off Canada ’ warning to Donald Trump (right) when he opens a new session of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa on May 27 and delivers the traditional ‘speech from the throne’ – the first time a monarch has done so in nearly 50 years
The King gave a warm welcome to the new Canadian prime minister Mark Carney (pictured) at Buckingham Palace in March
Charles faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act – showing solidarity with Canada without damaging the UK’s relationship with Trump.
In recent months the King has used coded signals rather than words to demonstrate his support. The 60th anniversary of Canada’s maple leaf flag in February brought an unusually fulsome message from Charles who praised the ‘proud, resilient and compassionate country’.
Wearing a red tie – a colour associated with Canada – he gave a warm welcome to the new Canadian prime minister Mark Carney at Buckingham Palace in March.
And when the King visited aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the same month, he appeared wearing a set of Canadian medals. He also planted a maple tree behind Buckingham Palace. ‘People will look with a microscope at everything he does while here as our head of state,’ said Ms May.
Mr Carney said last week that Canadians were unimpressed by the UK government’s invitation to President Trump for a second state visit.
‘It was at a time when we were being quite clear about the issues around sovereignty,’ he said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer extended the invitation during a meeting at the White House in February.
Asked whether the invitation was ‘appropriate’, Mr Carney said that was a decision for the UK government and Buckingham Palace.
Mark Carney said last week that Canadians were unimpressed by the UK government’s invitation to President Trump for a second state visit
The Canadian prime minister and Donald Trump shared some awkward moments as they spoke to reporters in the Oval Office on May 6, 2025. The US president once again made reference to the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state of America, to which Mr Carney responded: ‘As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale’
Mr Carney told Sky News his invitation for the King to attend the opening of Canada’s parliament ‘is not coincidental’.
‘It is also a reaffirming moment, will be a reaffirming,’ he said.
Toronto Star columnist Andrew Phillips said it was a ‘genius move’ to invite Charles to open up parliament. ‘Coming to Ottawa, even as he continues treatment for cancer, is an unmissable statement of support,’ he said.
‘Getting Charles to do the deed this time, on relatively short notice, shows Carney has real clout with Buckingham Palace as well as an appreciation for the importance of this moment.’
And echoing sentiments expressed by a number of Canadian politicians, Ms May told The Mail on Sunday: ‘For King Charles to come and open up parliament is a strong statement in and of itself that we are not in any way open to being an adjunct to the United States, and we never will be [and] it will not be lost on Trump.
‘We are a separate sovereign state and, no, we have no interest in being the 51st state of America.
‘We can’t undo what Trump has done. That relationship is over. Canadians will never again regard the United States as unquestionably an ally and friend.
‘We regard the US now with deep suspicion.’
She added: ‘I recognise the limits on what the King can say, but there are no limits on what the Prime Minister [Starmer] can say, and I really wish he’d start saying it.’
