King Charles III has made a timely and powerful statement, appearing to remind his son, Prince Harry, that he remains the head of state of Canada. The move comes as Harry hosts the Invictus Games in Vancouver, coinciding with a controversial suggestion from former US President Donald Trump that Canada should become America’s “51st state.”
Buckingham Palace released the King’s personal message as Canada celebrated the 60th anniversary of its national flag. While his words were focused on praising the country, many believe they also served as a subtle reminder of his authority—not just to Harry, but also in response to Trump’s bold remarks.
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The monarch, who holds Canada close to his heart, took the opportunity to honour the resilience of the nation. His statement came at a time when Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should join the United States to avoid major trade tariffs. However, Canadian officials have dismissed these comments as nothing more than a joke.
King Charles, however, made no mention of the US leader’s remarks. Instead, he used his message to celebrate Canada’s national pride, saying: “Today my wife and I join with Canadians across Canada, and around the world, to commemorate an important milestone – the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag. On February 15, 1965, the red and white maple leaf was first flown on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.”
“Since that time, it has become internationally recognised as a symbol of a proud, resilient and compassionate country.” “For my own part, it is a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration, as I recall with the deepest affection my many Canadian visits and friendships.”
The carefully worded statement has sparked speculation about whether the King was also reinforcing his connection to Canada, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Prince Harry, who has stepped away from royal duties and is carving out his own path in North America.
Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming part of the US have not been well received. His comments, made both on the social media platform Truth Social and in conversations with reporters, were met with strong opposition.
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A recent Ipsos poll conducted in January revealed that a staggering 80% of Canadians reject the idea of their country joining the US, reinforcing their national identity and commitment to remaining independent. Officials in Canada have firmly dismissed Trump’s suggestion, reiterating that the country has no interest in changing its status.
While King Charles did not directly address these political discussions, his message was clear—Canada remains a proud and sovereign nation under his reign. His affectionate words towards the country not only reaffirmed his connection with Canadians but also subtly reinforced that, despite all the noise, he is still very much their monarch.
