Prince Harry’s upcoming visit to Canada is expected to spark fresh discussions about King Charles III’s role as the country’s Head of State, especially as tensions rise between Canada and the United States.
Harry is set to travel to Canada later this month for the Invictus Games, and his wife, Meghan Markle, is also expected to join him. However, his visit comes at a time when some Canadians are expressing anger towards the U.S. government. This frustration grew after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. In response, many Canadians have taken to social media to call for a boycott of American products.
As the reigning monarch, King Charles III serves as Canada’s Head of State, a role that is defined and limited by the Canadian Constitution and other legal frameworks. Canada shares the same monarch with other Commonwealth realms, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, but each nation has a separate and independent relationship with the monarchy.
Throughout his reign, King Charles III has emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth, referring to its member countries as the “Family of Nations.” He has described the Commonwealth as a group of people bound by shared values, purpose, and action.
Before Trump’s inauguration, King Charles sent him a private message, continuing a long-standing royal tradition of diplomacy. Over the course of his life, Charles has met nine U.S. presidents, and now, during his reign, he will witness a second U.S. administration.
Despite the growing tensions between Canada and the U.S., King Charles is not in a position to openly address the situation. His constitutional role prevents him from directly commenting on political disputes or Trump’s remarks. However, critics of the monarchy may use his silence against him, arguing that he is failing to stand up for Canada.
Anti-monarchists could take advantage of this moment to push their campaign for removing King Charles as Canada’s Head of State. They may frame his lack of public response as a sign of weakness, portraying him as out of touch with modern Canadian concerns.
Prince Harry’s presence in Canada could also be used as an opportunity to question the King’s influence over his own family. Critics may argue that if Charles failed to keep his own son within the royal fold, how can he effectively represent the people of Canada?
With debates over the monarchy’s relevance already ongoing in several Commonwealth nations, Prince Harry’s visit could reignite discussions about whether Canada should continue recognizing King Charles as Head of State or move towards full independence from the Crown.
