Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to have a meeting with King Charles III on Monday to address the recent provocative remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has suggested the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States.
In Canada, King Charles has faced criticism for not speaking out against Trump’s agenda concerning annexation.
During his visit to London, Trudeau emphasized that he would raise matters critical to Canadians in his conversation with Charles.
He stated, “Right now, there is nothing more vital for Canadians than safeguarding our sovereignty and maintaining our independence as a nation.”
As a member of the British Commonwealth, Canada shares King Charles as its head of state.
While the anti-monarchy movement in Canada remains relatively small, the monarch’s silence has fueled discussions in recent days.
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney expressed disappointment over King Charles’s lack of response, suggesting that the monarch can only act upon advice given by Canada’s prime minister.
“The Government of Canada should urge the Head of State to affirm Canadian sovereignty,” Kenney posted on X.
Meanwhile, King Charles recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and extended an invitation to President Trump for a state visit to Scotland.
Constitutional lawyer Lyle Skinner expressed optimism about Trudeau’s forthcoming meeting with King Charles, hoping it prompts a statement on Canada’s sovereignty.
Academic Philippe Lagassé predicted that any advice from Trudeau to King Charles might encounter resistance from the UK government.
However, Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, noted that many Canadians would likely want a clear statement from the king, and there could be disappointment if this doesn’t materialize.
Béland also suggested that Trudeau might wish to discuss the matter first with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“This is a delicate diplomatic issue requiring all parties to move cautiously,” Béland said, emphasizing the potential impact on the monarchy’s image.
Though many Canadians feel detached from the monarchy, the late Queen Elizabeth was held in high regard, her image even appearing on Canadian currency.
Over her reign, the monarch was Canada’s head of state for over 40% of its history and visited 22 times.
In contrast, King Charles’s visits have drawn less enthusiasm from Canadians.
Artur Wilczynski, a former Canadian public servant, took to X to question King Charles’s role, “Canadians will need to evaluate what King Charles III’s position means as King of Canada if he cannot advocate for our sovereignty.”
The suggestion of abolishing the monarchy would necessitate constitutional amendments – a potentially risky maneuver given Canada’s intricate sociopolitical makeup, which includes a diverse population of English-speakers, French-speakers, Indigenous peoples, and new immigrants.
