King Charles visits Canada amid US takeover threats

OTTAWA — King Charles III was given an enthusiastic welcome on Monday by Canadians who turned out in droves to see their monarch on his historic visit to open parliament, as part of the pushback against United States President Donald Trump's annexation threats.

The 76-year-old king, who is Canada's head of state as part of the Commonwealth, was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has invited him to give an address opening Canada's new legislature on Tuesday.

"This historic honor matches the weight of our times," Carney said.

On their first stop in Ottawa, the royals visited a farmers' market, where they were cheered by thousands of Canadians. The king also dropped the puck for a street hockey game.

Queen Camilla is accompanying Charles on the 24-hour visit to the Canadian capital.

The so-called throne speech outlining the government's priorities is typically given by the British monarch's representative in Canada, the governor general.

Queen Elizabeth II, the king's late mother, delivered the throne speech in Canada just twice during her long reign, in 1957 and 1977.

Charles, making his first visit to Canada since his coronation, has never commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state.

But he will be closely watched for any comments on Canada's sovereignty, and on trade.

Spectator Norman MacDonald said he was "proud" the king came to Ottawa to deliver a message on behalf of Canadians.

"Canada is not, obviously, for sale, and it's not going to be bullied," he said.

Trump has slapped tariffs on Canadian goods, including sector-specific levies on autos, steel and aluminum, rattling the Canadian economy, though he has suspended some of them pending negotiations.

'Can no longer trust'

Carney has said his newly elected government has been given a mandate "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States", a neighbor he believes Canada "can no longer trust".

He has promised to curb reliance on trade with the US by boosting internal commerce while forging deeper economic ties with allies overseas.

The government's path to build up Canada and create new relationships will be outlined in Charles' speech, Carney said on Monday.

A government statement described the visit as "a momentous and historic occasion that underscores Canada's identity and sovereignty as a constitutional monarchy".

Trump repeatedly returned to his annexation musings during Carney's Oval Office visit earlier this month, insisting it would be a "wonderful marriage".

Carney stood his ground, saying Canada is "never for sale".

US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra dismissed the notion that inviting Charles to open parliament was an effective way to make a statement on annexation. According to him, the annexation issue is "over".

However, among the throngs that showed up to welcome the royals, Robert Brown, 64, said: "I think it's a very subtle form of diplomacy. A good one."

Agencies via Xinhua