King Charles to open Canadian parliament in rebut to Trump's '51st state' talk

IN A RARE and historic move, King Charles III is set to open Canada’s new parliamentary session, reinforcing the deep ties between the British monarchy and its Commonwealth nation amid rising political tensions with the United States. 

King Charles will travel to Ottawa later this month to deliver a speech opening Canada’s new parliamentary session, a gesture unseen since 1857. 

The visit, made at the request of newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, comes at a time of heightened rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who recently suggested incorporating Canada as the 51st US state.

The monarch’s presence is widely viewed as a reaffirmation of Canada’s independence and its constitutional ties to the Crown.

Regarding the visit, Carney said, “That clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country,” during his first press conference as Prime Minister on May 2. “This historic honour matches the weight of our times.”

Although Carney now leads Canada’s elected government, the country remains part of the British Commonwealth, with King Charles serving as its official head of state.

Carney highlighted this relationship in a recent meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office, saying that he had “met with the owners of Canada” - a pointed reminder of Canada’s political allegiance and an indirect rebuttal to Trump's ambitions. The US president reportedly replied, “Never say never.”

President Trump has expressed his admiration for the British monarchy on multiple occasions, most recently proclaiming, “I love King Charles.” Sources close to the White House suggest Trump holds “tremendous respect for the monarchy and considerable affection for the king himself.”

Carney’s request for royal involvement was made during a visit to Buckingham Palace in March, ahead of Canada’s elections.

The King welcomed him warmly, dressed in a red tie symbolising the Canadian flag and wearing his Order of Canada pin. “It’s a great treat to see you again,” Charles remarked during their meeting.

As King Charles returns to Canadian soil - his first visit since 2022 - public attention will be focused on symbolic gestures from the Royal Family.

Of particular interest is whether Queen Camilla will wear the diamond-encrusted maple leaf brooch once worn by Queen Elizabeth II. Such subtle visual cues often serve as unspoken declarations of support, given that the Royals are constitutionally barred from making overt political statements.

The visit is being framed as both a reaffirmation of Canada’s sovereignty and a demonstration of unity between the monarchy and its Commonwealth nation, subtly reinforcing that Canada is not for sale - not even to its powerful neighbour to the south.