King Charles says Canada will stay ‘strong and free’ in parliament speech amid Trump threats [Video]

BRITAIN’S KING CHARLES emphasised Canada’s self-determination as he opened the country’s parliament during an historic visit set against US President Donald Trump’s annexation threats.

The 76-year-old monarch, who is also Canada’s head of state as part of the Commonwealth, was invited by Prime Minister Mark Carney to deliver the throne speech, an address that outlines the government’s priorities.

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.

As well as threatening to annex the country, Trump has also slapped tariffs on Canadian goods including sector-specific levies on autos, steel and aluminium, rattling the Canadian economy – though he has suspended some of them pending negotiations.

In his speech, written by the Canadian government, Charles told the politicians gathered in the Senate Building the crown was a “symbol of unity for Canada”.

After highlighting worrying periods …