King's speech marks a diplomatic victory for Canada

Telegraph

a day ago

If they were keeping score, it would be Canada 1, United States 0.
The King today stood in the Canadian parliament to declare the country 'strong and free', following President Donald Trump's threat of annexation
He said: 'The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada.
'It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. 'As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.
'As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!'
The 'strong and free' line was met with a round of applause – despite rules stating that parliamentarians should not react during the speech – and he received a standing ovation at the end.
It will be deeply pleasing to prime minister Mark Carney – whose government wrote the speech and advised on even the King's most personal-sounding words. Mr Carney has told Mr Trump publicly that his country is 'not for sale, ever'.
The Royal visit to Canada lasted just shy of 24 hours, but it made its mark.
The priorities, say those organising, included meeting as many Canadian people as possible.
The King and Queen – who wore the diamond maple leaf brooch and the brooch of the Canadian Rifles, her regiment – met representatives of local charities and went home with two bottles of maple syrup bought at a market.
During their first engagement, a walkabout, they were met with 'thanks for coming' and the clear message: 'Welcome home.'
There were the obligatory meetings with the governor general, indigenous leaders, and Mr Carney, who spent so much time with the royal party that he joked the King was 'always getting stuck' with him.
The final engagement was a wreath laying at the National War Memorial, the staple of every royal visit, before wheels up on the Canadian Royal Air Force jet and back to RAF Brize Norton.
The King will take a few days off, and will likely reflect on a diplomatic challenge pulled off.
Ahead of the visit, a palace source said: 'Hopefully he will be able to bring the wisdom, experience and personal relationships to bear, to smooth over any wrinkles without it being a provocation.'
That seems to have come to pass.
Mr Carney will be delighted to have conveyed his 'Canada Strong' message via the monarch.
The press reports afterwards ranged from calling it an 'expression of love' for Canada, to a 'warning shot' to Mr Trump' and a 'masterclass'.
It is subtle enough that the UK government and palace can steer away from accusations that it was a direct rebuke to US rhetoric.
But the message was unmistakable.
The King of Canada has reminded the world that it is, indeed, not for sale.