Cold water poured on King Charles' hopes after Canada visit

As King Charles left Canada, where he expressed love and support for the country amid concerns caused by the US president's rhetoric on annexation, Donald Trump issued a fresh statement suggesting Canada join the US as its 51st state.

“I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State,” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

Trump was referring to Golden Dome missile defense system which aims leverage a network of hundreds of satellites circling the globe with sophisticated sensors and interceptors to knock out incoming enemy missiles after they lift off from countries like China, Iran, North Korea or Russia.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week that the country is looking at potential investments in the proposed $175-billion project.

King Charles, speaking during a brief symbolic visit to show support for Canada at a time it has faced annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, on Tuesday expressed his love for the country, which he described as "strong and free."

Charles, Canada's head of state, is the first British monarch in almost 70 years to preside over the opening of the Canadian parliament.

The king was accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla during his two-day visit to Canada.

In a speech in the Senate, Charles referred to "the country that Canadians and I love so much" but did not mention Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian exports and muses about turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state."