King Charles III has come under fire after inviting former U.S. President Donald Trump for a second official state visit to the United Kingdom. The invitation, delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his recent visit to the White House, has sparked outrage among Canadians and others online.
Many Canadians see the invitation as a betrayal, especially given Trump’s recent negative comments about Canada. Over the past few weeks, Trump has suggested that Canada should become part of the United States as its “51st state.” He has also mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him “Governor Trudeau” and announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.
What has angered people the most is King Charles’ silence on Trump’s remarks. As Canada’s head of state, many believe the King should have spoken up against Trump’s threats instead of extending an invitation. Some Canadians now question whether the country should continue to recognize the British monarchy at all.
Mark MacKinnon, a journalist for Canada’s Globe and Mail, expressed his frustration on social media, saying he hopes King Charles will bring up Trump’s threats against Canada during their meeting, but he isn’t optimistic. Others were even more direct, calling for Canada to become a republic and cut ties with the monarchy altogether.
One Canadian Twitter user wrote, “King Charles, thanks for the ongoing support, but Canada doesn’t need you. You cost money and do nothing. Enjoy your tea with Trump.”
Another added, “Not sure why we still have a king when he insults us by inviting Trump to the UK. We got the message—it’s time to get rid of the monarchy.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has addressed Trump’s remarks, saying that Canada will protect its sovereignty. He also plans to discuss the issue with King Charles. However, the controversy has reignited debates about whether Canada should keep the monarchy.
Although Canada has historically maintained ties with the British Royal Family, recent events have made many question if the monarchy is still relevant. Some argue that King Charles’ actions show that he prioritizes British and American interests over Canada.
With Trump’s state visit now confirmed, all eyes will be on King Charles. Many Canadians want to see if he will acknowledge their concerns or continue to ignore the issue. If he chooses to remain silent, it could further damage the monarchy’s standing in Canada and push more people toward supporting a republic.
As one Canadian social media user put it, “If Trump keeps talking about annexing Canada while visiting King Charles, it could destroy the monarchy’s credibility in our country forever.”
