Canadians hope King Charles' visit will deliver strong message to Trump

Canadians concerned about President Donald Trump's annexation rhetoric hope King Charles' visit to their country will deliver a strong and unifying message, said royal commentator and journalist Cameron Walker.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter on Monday, Mr Walker, who arrived in Ottawa ahead of the monarch's visit, wrote,  "Many Canadians I’ve spoken with are deeply concerned about President Trump’s annexation rhetoric, and hope His Majesty’s visit will deliver a strong, unifying message." 

King Charles left to Canada on Monday for a highly symbolic visit showing support for the nation that recognises him as its sovereign.

Following an invitation from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Charles will open parliament in Ottawa on Tuesday, the first time a British monarch has carried out the duty since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, did so 68 years ago.

The 76-year-old king is still undergoing cancer treatment, which has limited his workload, so the two-day trip shows his commitment to Canada, one of 15 countries where he is monarch.

Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to annex Canada, a proposition fiercely rebuffed by Carney whose election win last month came partly on the back of that stance.

"The prime minister has made it clear that Canada is not for sale now, is not for sale ever," Canada's envoy to the UK, Ralph Goodale, told reporters during a visit last week by Charles to Canada's high commission.

"The king, as head of state, will reinforce the power and the strength of that message."

Charles has made subtle signals of his backing for Canada in recent months, wearing Canadian medals, calling himself the king of Canada, and describing its flag as "a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration".