Canadians upset with U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated references to Canada as the “51st state” are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to request a statement from King Charles III.
Over the weekend, Trudeau flew to the United Kingdom, meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and holding an audience with the King.
While Prime Minister Trudeau attended a royal audience, details of Trudeau’s conversation with the King have not been disclosed.
The call for King Charles to make a public gesture of support on behalf of Canada comes after Sir Keir refused to condemn Trump’s 51st state comments in a visit to Washington D.C.
“You mentioned Canada, I think you’re trying to find a divide between us that doesn’t exist. We’re the closest of nations and we had very good discussions today, but we didn’t discuss Canada,” said Starmer, drawing the ire of many Canadians.
Some supporters of the monarchy have called on the King to make a unilateral condemnation of Trump’s comments.
However, other commentators have pointed out that the King does not involve himself with current affairs and does not act without the express approval of the elected government.
Canada’s standing as a constitutional monarchy means that the King does not act without the advice of his executive council, though continues to champion the commonly held values of the given realm.
Former Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney made this point on X, telling Canadians that Trudeau must advise King Charles to comment on the matter if they would like to see King comment on the matter.
“For Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented on President Trump’s threats to annex Canada: in his capacity as King of Canada, he can only act on the advice of his Canadian first minister, i.e. Justin Trudeau,” said Kenney.
“I wish our Prime Minister would, in fact, give that advice… But don’t blame King Charles for not speaking to this in the absence of formal advice from the elected government.”
In a comment to True North, President of the Monarchist League of Canada Robert Finch said that Trudeau ought to advise the King to defend Canada’s sovereignty in a statement.
“The King should not comment publicly without advice. The whole point of a constitutional monarch is to limit the monarch so he doesn’t speak independently of the government,” said Finch.
Finch believes that Trudeau should advise King Charles to refute Trump’s assertions against Canada’s sovereignty and that such condemnation could be delivered creatively.
“I do think it’s important for the Crown to be seen as standing up for Canada,” said Finch.
“It could very well be a carefully worded statement. Or it could be some action that drives home the message perhaps subtly. Or, maybe it’s behind the scenes manoeuvring. I think there’s lots of room for some creativity here.”
Since winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump has time and again suggested that Canada become America’s 51st state.
It was first reported that Trump made such a comment at a dinner he had with Trudeau on American Thanksgiving at the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Trump continued to repeat his desire to make Canada the 51st American state in the lead up to and after his inauguration, arguing that if the Canadian economy is unsustainable without having trade surplus with the United States, Canada should be annexed.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to True North’s request for comment.