King Charles has moved to reassure Canada of his steadfast support following Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States could annex its northern neighbour.
The monarch welcomed two senior Canadian officials – Greg Peters, the Senate’s Usher of the Black Rod, and Raymonde Gagné, the Speaker – to Buckingham Palace for a private audience on Wednesday.
While the meeting was long planned, a royal source indicated that discussions likely touched on global concerns, including the US president’s provocative remarks on Canadian sovereignty.
The source added: “Given the circumstances, it would be unusual if Mr Trump’s remarks had not been raised.”
Mr Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of absorbing Canada into the United States. On Tuesday, he threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, only to reverse the decision hours later.
Mark Carney, the incoming Canadian Prime Minister, has vowed to maintain retaliatory tariffs until the US commits to free trade.
Wednesday’s meeting had been scheduled well in advance but was seen as a timely opportunity for the King to reaffirm his sentiments from last month’s 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag.
At the time, the monarch hailed Canada as a “proud, resilient and compassionate country” and spoke of his “deepest affection” for its people.
The King greeted his Canadian guests in both English and French before their 30-minute discussion, during which he presented Mr Peters with a new ceremonial sword commissioned by the Senate in his honour.
The meeting comes days after Danielle Smith, the Premier of Alberta, called on the King to take a stand against Mr Trump.
She told the Telegraph: “We sing ‘God Save the King’ every week in the legislature.
“I swear an oath to the King, our cabinet secrecy is affirmed by an oath to the King, and we’ve got him on our banknotes.”
The monarch “should have something to say” about Mr Trump’s campaign to absorb Canada, because it represented a direct confrontation to British sovereignty, she added.
The King is understood to be “very conscious” of his role in global diplomacy, a responsibility that has increasingly fallen on his shoulders.
Earlier this month, he met Justin Trudeau, the outgoing Canadian Prime Minister, at Sandringham, where they reportedly discussed “standing up for our sovereignty and independence as a nation.”
A royal source has indicated that the King plans a tour of Canada in 2026 but is unlikely to respond to Mr Trump directly.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump is irritated by the King’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which came just days after his tense Oval Office exchange with the Ukrainian leader.
A Palace source said: “As a global statesman and a head of state for both the UK and Canada, the King’s role is highly significant.
“His Majesty is determined to play his part, within appropriate parameters.”
