King Charles III Visiting Canada to Show Country’s Independence from U.S.
King Charles III is coming to Ottawa this week to remind the world — and especially U.S. President Donald Trump — that Canada is its own country.
Trump has made repeated jokes about the U.S. taking over Canada. In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney invited King Charles to deliver the “speech from the throne,” which outlines the government’s plans for the new Parliament. As King of Canada and head of state, Charles is allowed to do this.
Carney told his party members that the king’s speech will show Canada’s direction as it goes through a major time of change, comparing it to the global shifts that happened after the Berlin Wall fell.
Earlier this month, Carney said, “Canada has a strong defender in the king,” when he announced the royal visit.
It’s rare for the monarch to deliver this speech in Canada. Queen Elizabeth II only did it twice during her 70-year reign, most recently in 1977.
Most Canadians don’t have strong feelings about the monarchy. But Carney wants to highlight how Canada is different from the U.S. He said the king’s visit makes it clear that Canada is an independent country with its own traditions.
Unlike the U.S., which became independent from Britain through a revolution, Canada became a country in 1867 and kept a parliamentary system, with a monarch as head of state.
“We are different, and the king shows that,” said former Quebec Premier Jean Charest. “If you ask why King Charles is reading the speech, you need to understand Canada’s unique story.”
However, the new U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, said there’s no need for messages like this. He told CBC that if someone has a message for the president, they can just call him.
Royal expert Carolyn Harris said Trump will probably notice the king’s visit, since he often talks about liking the royal family. She said the visit shows Canada’s unique identity — with the king acting in his Canadian role, not as a British figure.
The speech King Charles will read on Tuesday is written by Canada’s government, not by the king himself or anyone in the U.K. He is a non-political head of state and only reads what the Canadian government gives him.
“Charles has to follow his prime minister’s advice, but also be careful not to upset the other countries where he is king,” said Canadian royal historian Justin Vovk.
Some Canadians were upset when U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited Trump for a state visit on behalf of the king, even as Trump made threats about Canada’s independence.
Carney told Sky News that Canadians “weren’t impressed” by that decision, especially given the timing.
Lately, King Charles has shown support for Canada in other ways too, like wearing Canadian military medals during a visit to a British navy ship.
During his visit, he’ll take part in a street hockey game, attend a community event, and meet with Prime Minister Carney and Canada’s Governor General. He’ll also visit the National War Memorial before heading back to the U.K. after the speech.
