King Charles to meet Canadian PM Trudeau day after Zelensky audience
- Britain’s King Charles III is to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, just a day after he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham retreat.
Trudeau would have a private audience with Charles at the monarch’s Norfolk estate after the Canadian leader flew to London to join an emergency defense summit of European leaders at the weekend.
The king has been hailed for offering a show of solidarity to Zelensky by warmly welcoming him on Sunday afternoon.
This happened after the president’s dramatic Oval Office clash with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic efforts on Ukraine have intensified as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Europe’s leaders they stand at a “crossroads in history and urged them to join his coalition of the willing.’’
Charles, who has invited Trump to pay an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, is increasingly being seen as a unifying figure in spite of the turmoil.
On the world’s political stage, the royal family’s through so-called soft power diplomacy.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to make neighbouring Canada the 51st state of America, claiming that without a massive subsidy from the U.S.
“It ceases to exist as a viable country.’’
Trudeau is set to raise his concerns over the matter with Charles, who is king of Canada.
The Canadian leader said in London on Sunday that he would discuss matters of importance to Canadians with the monarch.
He said “nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.’’
Trump has also vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods from Canada as soon as Tuesday amid his concerns over border crossings.
Charles has faced criticism for being silent about Trump’s suggestion of annexing Canada.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney said: “For Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented’’ on Trump’s threats, he can only act on the advice of Canada’s prime minister.
“The Government of Canada should ask the Head of State to underscore Canadian sovereignty,’’ Kenney posted on X.
Artur Wilczynski, a former Canadian public servant, posted on X: “Canadians will need to decide what purpose King Charles III serves as King of Canada if he can’t even speak up for our sovereignty.’’ (dpa/NAN)
