King Charles III is currently in Canada, making a symbolic visit that underscores his support for the country amid growing speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump might seek to annex it as the 51st U.S. state. The visit, which began on Monday, sees Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, landing at Ottawa Airport in Ontario. Upon arrival, the king met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, the latter being the monarch’s representative in Canada. These meetings highlight the close relationship between Canada and the British monarchy, as well as the symbolic importance of the visit.
Charles, who is 76 years old, has been managing a limited schedule due to his ongoing cancer treatment. His decision to make two visits to Canada signals a strong commitment to the country, which is one of the 15 nations where he is the sovereign. This is the king’s first visit to Canada since becoming king in September 2022, underscoring the significance of the trip in reinforcing his connection to the country.
The visit comes at a critical time as Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Canada, a move that the Canadian government has firmly rejected. Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, secured an election victory in part due to widespread public opposition to Trump’s proposals. The Canadian government has consistently denied any possibility of U.S. annexation, emphasizing the country’s sovereignty. This is reflected in the words of Ralph Goodale, Canada’s envoy to the United Kingdom, who has stated that Canada is