During his recent visit to Canada, King Charles didn’t call out Trump directly—he didn’t have to. Instead, he let his actions and words speak for themselves.
King Charles’ 24-hour visit to Canada might have been brief, but it was anything but inconsequential. This was his first trip to the country as monarch, a significant milestone for a king whose reign is still in its early days. The visit was carefully choreographed to highlight Canada’s place in the Commonwealth, with Charles delivering a historic address to the Canadian Parliament from the Senate throne.
In his speech, Charles described Canada as “strong and free,” a deliberate nod to the country’s national anthem and a subtle affirmation of its sovereignty. At a time when geopolitical tensions are high, and with Trump’s comments casting an unexpected shadow over the visit, the King’s words carried extra weight. He called this a “critical moment” in Canada’s history, pointing to the challenges the nation faces while offering reassurance that the monarchy remains a steadfast partner.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Donald Trump was busy doing what he does best: stirring the pot. In yet another round of inflammatory social media posts, the president doubled down on his suggestion that Canada should join the United States as its 51st state. Trump framed the idea as a financial proposition, claiming Canada would save billions by becoming part of the U.S. and gaining free access to his proposed “Golden Dome missile program.”
At a time when Canada’s place in the world is being questioned—not by its own people, but by external forces—it was crucial for the monarchy to reaffirm its support. Charles did just that, not by addressing Trump’s remarks directly, but by making it clear that Canada’s sovereignty is not up for debate.
By all accounts, King Charles’ visit was a success. The reception he and Queen Camilla received in Canada was warm and enthusiastic, with Canadians from all walks of life turning out to greet the royal couple. Buckingham Palace has already hinted at plans for a longer royal tour in the future, a sign of the monarchy’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Canada. For Charles, the visit marked another milestone in a reign that has already seen its share of challenges. Despite his ongoing battle with cancer—a fact that the palace has addressed with refreshing transparency—Charles has shown no signs of slowing down.
