King Charles III has been praised as a “steadfast defender” of Canada by its new prime minister Mark Carney amid threats made by Donald Trump against the nation’s sovereignty.
The monarch welcomed Carney to Buckingham Palace during his visit to the UK on Monday.
The meeting comes as the King continues to show support for Canada after Trump threatened to annex one of America’s nearest neighbours as its “51st state”.
The pair spent around half an hour in a private audience at the palace.
King Charles III has been praised as a ‘steadfast defender’ of Canada by its new prime minister Mark Carney
Getty
Carney told the King they had “much to catch up on” during their meeting.
“Very good to see you. Congratulations,” said the King to the former governor of the Bank of England.
Following the audience, Carney posted on X: “My thanks to His Majesty King Charles III for his warm welcome and gracious hospitality today. Canada is fortunate to have a steadfast defender in our sovereign.”
The pair shared a light-hearted moment when Carney admitted his Order of Canada pin had broken.
My thanks to His Majesty King Charles III for his warm welcome and gracious hospitality today. Canada is fortunate to have a steadfast defender in our sovereign. pic.twitter.com/jgwefttI0O
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) March 17, 2025
The King responded: “Do you want mine?”
Trump has also threatened to increase planned tariffs on steel and aluminium for Canada from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.
Last week, His Majesty re-expressed his “deepest affection” for Canada.
He moved to “reaffirm” remarks he shared on the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag in February about the “proud, resilient and compassionate country”.
King Charles welcomed Carney to Buckingham Palace during his visit to the UK on Monday
Getty
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The King recently held an audience with two senior Canadian officials, discussing topics “of great concern to all parties, both nationally and internationally”.
The King has so far been unable to travel to Canada since becoming monarch after a 2024 planned visit was postponed following his cancer diagnosis.
There are calls for him to attend the state opening of Canada’s parliament in spring 2025, though no date has been set.
The King has invited Trump to Balmoral and Dumfries House for a second state visit in a handwritten letter delivered to the US President by Sir Keir Starmer.
The King also wrote privately to Mr Carney as he was sworn in as Canada’s new leader.