Secret behind King Charles's Trump warning and what he really meant in his Canada speech

King Charles's fleeting visit to Canada this week was significant for a number of different reasons.

By Emily Ferguson, Royal Editor
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king charles canada speech

King Charles delivered his speech yesterday (Image: PA)

The final piece of the jigsaw of the Carolean era fell into place this week, as the King ticked off the last of the “firsts”. Over 2.5 and a half years into his reign, Charles has completed the checklist by visiting a senior realm, having already ticked off major milestones such as his first address, home nation visits, tour abroad, and Christmas broadcast.

A trip to Canada, described as a senior realm because it was the first to adopt the procedures of a Commonwealth country that recognises the monarch as its head if state, by the newly crowned King and Queen, had been due to take place last Spring but was postponed due to Charles’s shock cancer diagnosis. Both parties had been keen to reschedule the state visit for as early as possible, but due to the challenges posed by a General Election, it could not simply be delayed by 12 months.

As a result, Australia secured the first visit to a realm last October, a successful yet gruelling trip that marked the first major test of the King’s stamina six months on from his diagnosis.

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But the King was delighted when Mark Carney’s offer to open the Canadian Parliament came through some six weeks ago, and due to his long-held affections for the country, he took no hesitation in accepting the invitation.

His readiness to have his busy schedule redrawn at such late notice is an indication as to just how important Charles considered a trip across the pond, all to aware of the threats Canada was facing from the US.

This sentiment was reflected in his speech on Tuesday, which a source said was designed to be “thought-provoking without being provocative”.

The powerful speech, made on the advice of the Canadian Government, didn’t name-drop Donald Trump or reference the trade war or threat of annexation. Instead, the King focused on unity and accentuated the positives.

It was a way for Charles to signal his support for Canada while being mindful of his constitutional role and ensuring he doesn’t stray into politics.

The King And Queen Visit Canada - Day 2

King Charles and Queen Camilla spent two days in Canada (Image: Getty)

A senior royal aide said: “It’s all about commending what is positive. And that’s what the sovereign does, it’s not the sovereign’s job to start pointing fingers. What the king was able to do was show very strong support for Canada and what would be the point of being King of Canada if you didn’t show support?”

Canadians were pleased with the tone and overall sentiment of the speech, which ended with a slight crackle in his voice as he concluded with the words of the Canadian national anthem: “The True North is indeed strong and free!"

As the King and Queen landed back in the UK in the early hours of Wednesday morning, courtiers were in a celebratory mood. They were pleased with the coverage and how well the brief trip was received at home and abroad.

“They leave with pride,” a royal source said, adding that the couple were incredibly touched by the outpouring of support they received from the Canadian people. Everywhere they went, they were met with rapturous applause, hearty cheers and spontaneous renditions of God Save the King.

The King And Queen Visit Canada - Day 2

King Charles appears to enjoy a warm relationship with Mark Carney (Image: Getty)

It was clear that the public was buoyed by the monarch’s commitment to Canada, travelling for 13 hours to spend less than a day in the country.

While the country has had its disputes in recent months, the aggression from the US has brought the nation together and this week they rallied behind their King and showed appreciation for the lengths he went to signal his support, especially given he continues to receive regular cancer treatment.

Sources reiterated the longstanding message from courtiers that the King’s treatment continues in a positive direction and the demanding trip over such a short period of time did not make a dent in his energy levels.

Soon after the plane was in the air, Charles was going through his Government boxes as he shifted from his public duties to the work that goes on behind the scenes. The King is simply “managing” his condition and “getting on with it” as he focuses on his duties as monarch.

“The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it,” the source said. “And that’s what he does. The medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him.

“As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible… [and] that's exactly what he is doing. It’s no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well.

“As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it…. We’re just planning the programme as usual, trying to lighten it a little bit - [after all] he is 76 years old. No-one has had much success, however!”

While the couple will enjoy some downtime this week, a full summer programme will go ahead as normal with Trooping the Colour, Garter Day, Royal Ascot and an incoming state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled over the coming weeks.

In terms of foreign travel, details of the autumn tour are still under wraps but a Palace source said that the two day visit to Canada does not preclude a visit at a later date, noting that Their Majesties only had the opportunity to visit the capital.

“They wish they could have stayed longer,” the insider said, pointing out that a blueprint for a fuller programme had already been drawn up due to last year’s cancellation, so Canadians could see the return of their monarch in the coming years.

As the curtain closes on another impactful and poignant royal visit, the defining features of the Carolean era are coming into full view. His four C’s - Commonwealth, community, climate and culture - continue to dominate his work and since his diagnosis he has adopted the fifth ‘little C’, cancer.

Charles’s tireless work ethic, boundless enthusiasm for the job and ability to use his voice to bring communities together in time of conflict and uncertainty show the nation that he is a man who understands. He’s human, authentic and is using his role to steer the ship through difficult times.

The King is still firmly rooted in tradition and his mother's example, but he’s more forthright and willing to push the boundaries a little further than the late Queen. But Charles is not the interventionist he was when he was the Prince of Wales. He understands the role and ensures that he always remains within the parameters of his constitutional role.

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