King Charles risked serious pitfalls as he walked a “tricky tightrope” at a recent royal engagement according to a former royal press secretary.
Charles, 76, was in Canada to deliver a Throne Speech at the opening of the nation’s parliament in a hugely symbolic moment for the monarchy.
The king became only the second royal, as head of state in Canada, to perform the prestigious task after his late mother Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1957 and 1977.
The late monarch’s former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, has revealed the landmark address could easily have “gone off the rails”.
King Charles followed in his late mother's footsteps, becoming only the second monarch to open Canada's parliament.
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Nevertheless, Anderson praised Charles’ deft handling of the duty following in his mother’s footsteps while speaking with People Magazine.
The former press secretary celebrated the speech as a “master class in diplomatic relations” given the delicate balance in keeping all parties happy.
Charles had been invited to open parliament by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney amid increased tensions between Ottawa and the United States with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening to make his northern neighbour America’s “51st state”.
Anderson admitted the speech, which had been crafted by the Canadian government, was a “tricky tightrope to read”.
Royal insider Ailsa Anderson revealed Charles could have easily 'gone off the rails' during the address.
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Relieved, she added “I think he did it”.
Charles’s address, which had been crafted by the Canadian government with his own personal remarks added, contained several references to the tension between Ottawa and Washington.
"Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them... Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can take away,” he said.
The veiled comment was soon followed by a direct reference to the United States, with Charles celebrating Carney and Trump beginning to “define a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the US.”
Anderson praised the King for deftly walking a “tricky tightrope” and succeeding with his speech.
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Charles also referenced Canada’s need to be “truly strong” and “secure” as he highlighted plans for increased security at Canada’s borders and measures to “stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors”.
His reference to borders and fentanyl could also have been a message to Trump, who has often wielded the importation of the opioid via his country's northern border as a cudgel against Canada.
King Charles also spoke of the need for Canada to reinvest in the nation’s armed forces. However, he made no mention of the Golden Dome nor any US cooperation – instead, Charles outlined plans to “invest in transatlantic security with Canada’s European partners”.
Charles' address referenced Canada's frosty relations with the US under President Donald Trump.
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Trump unleashed his characteristic style in reference United States' new £45 billion ($61 billion) missile defence system.
“I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State,” he wrote.
“They are considering the offer!” Trump explosively claimed as he signed off.
Holding the staggering cost of the new Golden Dome system, intended to counter the threat of missile attacks, over Ottawa is the latest in the US president’s campaign.
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Trump took to social media just hours after the speech with a renewed threat against Canada.
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Speaking to GB News after the speech, Prime Minister Mark Carney celebrated: “It was a very successful visit. A good reminder of the strength of Canadian institutions.”
“Our sovereignty is strong, the true north, strong and free,” he added.
After the milestone engagement, King Charles and Queen Camilla made for home.
The royal couple issued a statement upon their departure: “As my wife and I leave Canada, we wanted to send our most heartfelt thanks to all those who turned out to offer their support on this, my first visit as sovereign," the King and Queen said.
"It was the warmest of welcomes - and the fondest of returns to a land and a people we love," they added, concluding with: "Until the next time, au revoir, Canada, et avec tous nos remerciements."
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