EDITORIAL: Our King trumps your president

Published Jan 08, 2025  •  Last updated 52 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, as he receives realm prime ministers in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in London, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Photo by Stefan Rousseau /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President-elect Donald Trump has succeeded where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed: He’s created national unity.

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Canadians from coast to coast agree we don’t want to become part of the United States. Yes, we like and admire Americans immensely. They’re our friends and, until now, good neighbours. But we’re not them.

Trump’s recent statement that, as president, he will use “economic force” to subsume this country into the U.S. crosses a line.

“You get rid of that artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like … it would also be much better for national security,” he said.

It might be better for America’s national security but not for Canada.

That line was written in blood; people died establishing our border.

Lest anyone forget, we have divergent histories. We’re a constitutional monarchy with a proud Westminster parliamentary tradition. They’re a republic. After the American War of Independence, those loyal to the Crown came north to what’s now Canada.

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What we need now is a Royal Tour to remind Trump of that. The late Queen Elizabeth understood the soft power she wielded. She loved Canada. It was the country she visited most often. Had this happened on her watch, she’d have been here in a heartbeat to remind the world she was head of state in this country. Trump is said to admire the monarchy. He wouldn’t have dared mess with her.

King Charles is ill and undergoing chemotherapy. We wouldn’t expect him to undertake a gruelling trip. But Prince William would be an admirable replacement. His wife, Catherine, is also undergoing cancer treatment. But perhaps the Prince of Wales could carve out a few days to demonstrate to the U.S. that we’re not a nation to be messed with. William wouldn’t have to make speeches or grand gestures. His very presence here would echo the soft diplomacy his grandmother weaponized so effectively. It would send a strong message to the U.S. that we’re not for sale.

Our only problem is, how to invite the Royals? Parliament is prorogued. The business of government has ground to a halt. Perhaps the premiers could step up with an invitation.

Trump’s rhetoric has united us. Now we must show strength and resolve in response to his outlandish claims to our country.

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