King Charles III begins a two-day visit to Canada amidst tensions with President Trump, as the monarch seeks to bolster the country’s sovereignty and strengthen ties.
King Charles III has arrived in Canada at the start of a two-day visit that comes against a backdrop of tensions with ‘President Trump.’ The monarch’s arrival in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, was met with dignitaries including Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, and the country’s first indigenous governor general, Mary Simon.
Born on November 14, 1948, Prince Charles is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II.
He became King Charles III following his mother's death in 2022.
As king, he has continued to support various charitable causes and organizations.
Prince Charles has also been involved in several high-profile controversies throughout his life, including criticism over his personal finances and investments.
Despite this, he remains one of the most recognizable figures in British royal history.
The king’s visit is seen as an opportunity to bolster Canada’s sovereignty amid threats from ‘Trump.’ In April, Carney was elected on an anti- ‘Trump’ platform and had asked the king to visit shortly after he became leader of the Liberal party. At the time, ‘Trump’ had imposed tariffs on Canada and was tauntingly suggesting annexation.
Canada's sovereignty refers to its independence and self-governance.
The country gained full autonomy from the United Kingdom in 1982 with the passage of the Canada Act.
This legislation patriated the Canadian Constitution, transferring authority from British Parliament to the Canadian government.
Today, Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch serves as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government.
Carney described the king’s visit as an ‘historic honor’ that matches the weight of the times. It is a significant event that highlights the distinct differences between the democracies of the U.S. and Canada. As a constitutional monarchy, Canada has a monarch at its head of state, whereas the United States is a republic with a president.
A Ceremonial Event with a Message
On Tuesday, King Charles will read a speech from the throne to open a new session of Canada’s parliament. This will be the first time a monarch has done so since 1977, when ‘Queen Elizabeth’ addressed the senate. Although largely ceremonial, the event underlines the unique relationship between the Canadian government and its monarch.
The speech from the throne lays out the Canadian government’s plans for the future. It is expected to robustly defend Canada’s sovereignty and will be written by Carney‘s office. The king’s involvement in reading the speech adds a sense of tradition and continuity, while also highlighting the country’s constitutional monarchy.
Canada's government is divided into three branches: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
The Prime Minister serves as head of government, while the monarch (represented by the Governor General) holds ceremonial duties.
The Parliament consists of the Senate and House of Commons, with 338 Members of Parliament elected through a first-past-the-post system.
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the land, ensuring that laws align with the Constitution.
A Personal Touch
This visit marks King Charles‘ first trip to Canada since he was crowned king in 2023. An earlier trip planned for last year was cancelled after he was diagnosed with cancer. The monarch has spoken warmly about Canada and its people on previous visits, describing them as ‘outward-looking, big-hearted people.’
