On Wednesday, King Charles delivered a speech to the Parliament of Canada.
Speaking during a symbolic visit to show his support in Canada at a time when he faced threats of annexation from the American president Donald Trump, Charles expressed his love for the country, which he described as “strong and free”.
The speech describing the government’s plans for the next session has been widely written by officials working for Prime Minister Mark Carney. But Charles was responsible for the comments on his love for Canada.
“Each time I come to Canada … just over Canada infiltrates my blood circulation – and from there directly to my heart,” said the monarch, accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla.
Charles referred to “the country that Canadians and I love so much”, but has made no direct reference to Trump, who has imposed Canadian export prices and muses to transform Canada into a 51st American state.
The king said from his throne: “The Prime Minister and the President of the United States began to find a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States. Rooted with mutual respect and based on common interests to offer transformational advantages for the two sovereign countries”
King Charles is in Canada for a highly symbolic visit showing support for the nation that recognizes him as his sovereign but is coveted by US President Donald Trump as a 51st American state.
After an invitation from Carney, Charles opened the Parliament, the first time that a British monarch obtained the duty since her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, did it 68 years ago.
Trump has repeatedly expressed the desire to annex Canada, a proposal fiercely pushed by Carney, whose electoral victory last month came in part to the back of this position.
Charles has made subtle signals of his support in Canada in recent months, bearing Canadian medals, calling himself the king of Canada and describing his flag as “a symbol that never fails to arouse a feeling of pride and admiration”.
