Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is to meet today with King Charles III in London in a bid to calm growing fears that U.S. President Donald Trump is poised to annex Canada following a series of menacing threats. It is a key diplomatic moment for Canadians wanting to know if their nation is secure.
Trudeau, speaking in London on Sunday, stressed the need for Canada to stand up for its independence. “Nothing seems more urgent to Canadians than to stand up for our sovereignty he said.
The King, as Canada’s Head of State, has been criticized for remaining mum on Trump’s inflammatory comments. Even though Canada is still a Commonwealth nation, the role of the monarchy is mainly symbolic and the King can only take action according to the advice of the Canadian government. 
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called on the government to formally seek a statement from King Charles regarding Canada’s sovereignty. “Should the King remain silent, Canadians will undoubtedly wonder about the role of the King,” said Kenney.
Diplomatically, the situation is too sensitive, warns political analysts. This is a sensitive issue with international repercussions, said McGill University professor Daniel Béland. Some analysts also think Trudeau may bring up the issue with British PM Keir Starmer.
As Canadian sentiment is equally divided as to what role if any remains for the monarchy this meeting could set the course for 2017-2018 discussion of Canada’s constitutional relationship to the Crown.
