King Charles III, King of Canada Donald Trump has made repeated
statements in recent months about
the desirability of Canada becoming
a state in that most disreputable of
republics. This is besides Trump's
threats to impose eye-watering 25%
tariffs on all Canadian exports.
These threats have led to a degree of
unity across political and social lines
rarely seen in Canada. The prime
minister has called for help from
political leaders at both the federal
and provincial level to oppose two existential threats. The
prime minister has also called on Canada's First Nations for assistance (it is interesting how the more historical
circumstances change, the more they stays the same).
With this show of Canadian unanimity it has been noted that
the King has not yet weighed in on what are essentially
threats to his Canadian realm. Now, there are very good
reasons for why this might be the case. This is after all a
political issue which the Crown tends not to weigh in on
unless asked. Whether Justin Trudeau has asked the King is
not knowable at the present time. Given Trudeau's at times
uneven support for the Crown there is reason to believe
he hasn't. But this is all rather immaterial to the question
posed in the title of this article. If King Charles III were going
to join the 'Team Canada' effort against Trump what is the
best way for him to do so?
statements in recent months about
the desirability of Canada becoming
a state in that most disreputable of
republics. This is besides Trump's
threats to impose eye-watering 25%
tariffs on all Canadian exports.
These threats have led to a degree of
unity across political and social lines
rarely seen in Canada. The prime
minister has called for help from
political leaders at both the federal
and provincial level to oppose two existential threats. The
prime minister has also called on Canada's First Nations for assistance (it is interesting how the more historical
circumstances change, the more they stays the same).
With this show of Canadian unanimity it has been noted that
the King has not yet weighed in on what are essentially
threats to his Canadian realm. Now, there are very good
reasons for why this might be the case. This is after all a
political issue which the Crown tends not to weigh in on
unless asked. Whether Justin Trudeau has asked the King is
not knowable at the present time. Given Trudeau's at times
uneven support for the Crown there is reason to believe
he hasn't. But this is all rather immaterial to the question
posed in the title of this article. If King Charles III were going
to join the 'Team Canada' effort against Trump what is the
best way for him to do so?
1. Issue a Statement
This is perhaps the closest to 'normal procedure' we are going
to get on this list. The King adds his voice to the chorus of
Canadians who are dead-set against what Trump is planning.
However, it also makes His Majesty's voice just one among
many and while it would be good to see, and would generate
some headlines, I don't feel its the kind of thing that would
have much effect. The Crown traditionally uses such releases
to either express solidarity with Canadians going through
hardships or to congratulate a person or organization on some
achievement. The closest example to this sort of intervention
is one that did not even occur: During the last Quebec
Succession referendum a Quebec radio host managed to make
it through the Palace switchboards to talk to Queen Elizabeth
II. During this impromptu conversation the radio host
(masquerading as Prime Minister Chretien) asked if the
Queen might issue a statement in favour of Quebec remaining
in Canada. The Queen agreed to this. This just underlines that
the monarch is willing to intervene but his or her elected
government needs to want them to.
to get on this list. The King adds his voice to the chorus of
Canadians who are dead-set against what Trump is planning.
However, it also makes His Majesty's voice just one among
many and while it would be good to see, and would generate
some headlines, I don't feel its the kind of thing that would
have much effect. The Crown traditionally uses such releases
to either express solidarity with Canadians going through
hardships or to congratulate a person or organization on some
achievement. The closest example to this sort of intervention
is one that did not even occur: During the last Quebec
Succession referendum a Quebec radio host managed to make
it through the Palace switchboards to talk to Queen Elizabeth
II. During this impromptu conversation the radio host
(masquerading as Prime Minister Chretien) asked if the
Queen might issue a statement in favour of Quebec remaining
in Canada. The Queen agreed to this. This just underlines that
the monarch is willing to intervene but his or her elected
government needs to want them to.
2. Give Trump a Private Talking-to
Perhaps the King, wishing to be more discrete, pulls Trump
aside at some international meeting and has a private chat.
This has some precedence. During Trump's 2019 state visit to
the United Kingdom the then-Prince Charles turned a 15
minute chat into a 90 minute discussion on climate
change. It is easy to imagine the King being able to arrange
such a meeting. However, much like being lectured for 90
minutes didn't sway Trump to climate change I have my
doubts a talking-to on Canadian sovereignty would do much
better - regardless of Trump's seeming affection for the
Royals.
aside at some international meeting and has a private chat.
This has some precedence. During Trump's 2019 state visit to
the United Kingdom the then-Prince Charles turned a 15
minute chat into a 90 minute discussion on climate
change. It is easy to imagine the King being able to arrange
such a meeting. However, much like being lectured for 90
minutes didn't sway Trump to climate change I have my
doubts a talking-to on Canadian sovereignty would do much
better - regardless of Trump's seeming affection for the
Royals.
3. A Royal Tour
Perhaps the King need not speak directly at all. A royal tour of
Canada underlines the King's support for Canada without
saying as much. There would also be plenty of times where the
King could obliquely reference Trump's threats. For instance,
visiting War of 1812 battle sites or visiting military bases (perhaps all of them). The main issue with this idea is lead-
time (of which we have none). Which brings us to...
Canada underlines the King's support for Canada without
saying as much. There would also be plenty of times where the
King could obliquely reference Trump's threats. For instance,
visiting War of 1812 battle sites or visiting military bases (perhaps all of them). The main issue with this idea is lead-
time (of which we have none). Which brings us to...
4. Opening Parliament
A working visit is a bit easier to organize and in this case
would comprise of opening Parliament after the coming
election. Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament twice in 1957
and 1977 which might indicate its a bit easier to pull off short
notice. In this instance you'd definitely want to pull out all the
stops in an effort to basically awe Trump with majesty. A
footnote to this is that the styling 'My government' when
reading the Speech from the Throne has fallen out of favour in recent years. This would be the time to bring it back.
would comprise of opening Parliament after the coming
election. Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament twice in 1957
and 1977 which might indicate its a bit easier to pull off short
notice. In this instance you'd definitely want to pull out all the
stops in an effort to basically awe Trump with majesty. A
footnote to this is that the styling 'My government' when
reading the Speech from the Throne has fallen out of favour in recent years. This would be the time to bring it back.
Final Remarks
The Crown has an important role to play in confronting
Trump's provocations but the Crown always takes pains not
to over-step into the realm of politics uninvited. So, if the
Crown is going to join the anti-Trump effort, the government
is going to need to ask for its assistance.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Trump's provocations but the Crown always takes pains not
to over-step into the realm of politics uninvited. So, if the
Crown is going to join the anti-Trump effort, the government
is going to need to ask for its assistance.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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