KING Charles yesterday took his initial steps on a “diplomatic tightrope” on his first trip to Canada since his crowning.
Charles — also the giant nation’s monarch — and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa, where the couple were saluted by the military and given a Guard of Honour.
Their trip, on which Charles will be the first monarch to open the country’s Parliament since 1957, follows Donald Trump’s call for Canada to become the US’s 51st state.
Experts hailed the packed two-day trip as a “clever” move designed to signal to the US President that Britain stands by its Commonwealth ally.
Charles, 76, has praised the realm since its dispute with Mr Trump, 78, but has also invited the US leader for a second State visit.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said: “This is a diplomatic challenge for Charles. He takes his obligations as King of Canada and Head of the Commonwealth very seriously.
“He is walking a tightrope, but he has so far found the right words and actions to navigate it. I think he will stay away from saying anything inflammatory, but he will handle whatever is thrown at him.”
Charles and Camilla, who were also greeted by an indigenous tribe elder, were taken from the airport to meet locals at a party on the city’s Lansdowne Park.
Some made trips of up to eight hours to get there.
Charles dropped a puck to start a street hockey game as royal fans waved Canadian and Union flags and cheered “God save the King”.
The royals also participated in a tree planting at Government House.
Charles, still having cancer treatment, will give a speech today in English and French, Canada’s official languages, as he opens parliament.
Dr Dexter Govan, director of research for the Constitution Society, said it is “certainly no coincidence” that Charles is doing so.
He said: “The King must balance his role as Head of State of both the UK and Canada, while also refraining from commenting directly on politics.
“When President Trump suggests Canada should become the 51st state, that becomes even more challenging. By opening Parliament, the King’s continuing a long constitutional tradition where a monarch uses a symbolic gesture to make their point.”
“He takes his obligations as King of Canada and Head of the Commonwealth very seriously
Prof Damien Claude Bélanger, expert in Canadian-US relations, added: “The visit is designed to show that Canada has close, intimate ties, with one of the world’s great powers, and that we’re not alone in the face of the US or American power.”
Prof Robert Hazell, expert in Government and the Constitution at University College London, said: “Undoubtedly King Charles’s visit has political significance.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/royals/14328165/king-charles-visit-canada-camilla-trump/
