King Charles‘ pointed speech to President Trump regarding the sovereignty of Canada was ‘thought-provoking, but not provocative’, sources have insisted.
In an historic speech to the country’s parliament as their head of state on Tuesday, he hailed a ‘strong and free’ Canada in a clear attempt to dial down the president’s rhetoric over the fellow North American nation becoming America’s ’51st state’.
Royal aides have said it was a deliberate decision by the King, acting on the advice of the Canadian government, to make his point firmly and politely but not to ‘call out’ President Trump by name.
‘It’s all about commending what is positive. And that’s what the sovereign does, it’s not the sovereign’s job to start pointing fingers,’ one insider said.
Whether it falls on receptive ears remains to be seen.
Hours after Charles’ landmark ‘Speech from the Throne’, President Trump appeared to double down on his threats to annexe Canada by saying that the country would not have to pay billions of dollars to join his future ‘Golden Dome’ missile programme ‘if they become our cherished 51st State’.
‘They are considering the offer!’ Trump posted on social media.
This was in contrast to claims by the US ambassador to Canada who said last week that the whole annexation saga was ‘over’ and the White House had more important things to focus on.
King Charles III during the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber at the Senate of Canada Building
The King read his speech for the State Opening in both English and French
Royal aides have said it was a deliberate decision by the King, acting on the advice of the Canadian government, to make his point firmly and politely but not to ‘call out’ President Trump by name
Trump was not the only target, with China the target of a subtle but significant message, too, given its current attempts to gain a foothold in the region and become a ‘polar power’.
The Arctic is seen a something of a new crossroad for global superpowers in terms of access to raw materials, trade routes and science and research.
Sources say it was ‘really important’ for the King to address the issue given Canada’s sovereignty in the region and China’s ‘troubling’ ambitions – described in the speech as ‘new threats’.
Buckingham Palace are viewing the King’s whirlwind 23-hour visit to Canada, his first as its monarch and head of state, as a huge success.
Tens of thousands of people turned out to see him in the capital, Ottawa, and with cries of ‘God Save The King’ and ‘Vivre Le Roi’ wherever he went.
‘He was very touched. To go to a Realm of which you are king but in which you don’t actually live, is a big thing when you do it for the first time. It is a reset and reaffirmation of that relationship, and for so many people to turn out and to be so thrilled to see him was fantastic,’ a source said.
‘What the king was able to do was show very strong support for Canada and what would be the point of being King of Canada if you didn’t show support?’
Royal insiders say the visit brings to an end a host of historic ‘firsts’ since the King’s accession in 2022.
Starting with his return to London and tour of the home nations in the weeks after Queen Elizabeth’s death, as well as his first public address and Christmas message, it continued with his inaugural tour of Australia and now Canada, considered the ‘senior realm’.
The event is the highlight of the couple’s whirlwind visit to the North American nation, Charles’ first as king.
The King was seen talking and laughing with the new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney
Trudeau attends the State Opening of Parliament along with representatives from Canada’s indigenous communities
The King was spotted greeting former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Moving forwards it is understood the King intends to focus on continuing ‘getting it right’, shining a light on causes he feels passionate about and ensuring the monarchy continues to evolve with the times.
‘Almost three years on, everyone has a clear impression of what that is and the role that he will play – one that is both traditional for the monarchy and distinct to His Majesty,’ a source said.
‘Leveraging on the long relationships he has built over the years, he has enhanced his role as a global statesman on so many issues, wielding soft power to the benefit of all the realms and commonwealth nations at a time of great international challenge.
‘Underpinning it all are the four big Cs at the heart of his personal value system – communities, climate, commonwealth, culture – with the smaller c of his own illness being used to show support for others affected by cancer.
‘He has dealt with his illness in a very human way and the way he’s engaging with the public at a very human level. I think we now have a clear idea of what the Carolean age looks like and what it stands for – now and hopefully for many years to come.’
Despite the taxing nature of his role, the King is also continuing to ‘manage’ his illness, after being first diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year.
‘The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it. And that’s what he does. The medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him,’ a source close to the king said.
‘As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible… [and] that’s exactly what he is doing.
‘It’s no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well.
‘As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it….
‘We’re just planning the programme as usual, trying to lighten it a little bit – [after all] he is 76 years old. No-one has had much success, however! ‘
