King Charles III’s historic invite for a second state visit to Britain did not impress Canadians, Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered Trump a letter from Charles containing the invite on a visit to the Oval Office in February.
At the time, Trump said he wanted to annex Canada, which recognizes Charles as its king.
Carney told Sky News: “I think, to be frank, they [Canadians] weren’t impressed by that gesture … given the circumstance. It was at a time when we were being quite clear, some of us were being quite clear, about the issues around sovereignty.”
Why It Matters
While some saw the move as a diplomatic masterstroke by Starmer that ingratiated Britain to a president who was in the process of drawing up sweeping tariffs against other countries, others said it exposed an inequality in the king’s relationship with countries around the world that count him as monarch.
The tension is unlikely to lead to Canada abolishing the monarchy anytime soon, however, as its strategy may involve emphasizing its status as a monarchy to further shield it from the U.S. president.
What To Know
Carney, who became prime minister in March and retained the position following a federal election on April 28, has invited Charles to open the Canadian Parliament—a first for the head of state in almost 50 years. The Canadian prime minister said the move was not a coincidence.
“All issues around Canada’s sovereignty have been accentuated by the president,” Carney said. “So no, it’s not coincidental, but it is also a reaffirming moment for Canadians.”
Carney also said Trump no longer expected to make Canada the 51st state. “He was expressing a desire. He’d shifted from the expectation to a desire for that to happen. He was also coming from a place where he recognized that that wasn’t going to happen.”
“Does he still muse about it? Perhaps,” he added. “Is it ever going to happen? No. Never.”
JEFF J MITCHELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in February: “I think the last state visit was a tremendous success. His majesty the king wants to make this even better than that, so this is truly historic.”
Trump said at the time: “I am honored by this invitation and look forward to strengthening the special relationship between our nations.” He added that Charles was “a wonderful leader and friend.”
The king’s letter suggested an initial, more informal visit to Scotland by Trump to plan the full state visit: “Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom.
“As you will know this is unprecedented by a U.S. president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and program content.
“In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries of which we are both so proud.”
What Happens Next
Trump said in April that the state visit might happen in September. “They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest,” Trump said, adding, “That’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person.”
“And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honor,” he said. Trump continued, “I’m a friend of Charles. I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William. We have really just a great respect for the family. And I think they’re setting a date for September.”
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
