I don’t know if I’d call myself a monarchist, or a royalist. But I do know that watching the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 27 affected me in a visceral way that I didn’t expect.
Seeing them on American soil made me put the remote down, lower my head onto my hands, and cry. The sadness and disappointment felt instantly in those moments came out of nowhere, and struck me to the core.
I’m not entirely sure why, but when God Save The King began playing, I actually had to turn the TV off. Then, in the silence of my tears, and with so many thoughts racing through my mind, it took everything I had to finally whisper these words to myself: “He’s not your king anymore.”
I sat with this intense, emotional rupture for several hours before trying to figure out why I felt the way I did. Perhaps it had something to do with the curiosity I’ve always had of ‘The Royal Family’ as a teenager on the rural Canadian prairies in the late 60s and early 70s. There was something about the House of Windsor lineage that was extra special to me.
I first got hooked in the summer of 1970 when Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip, along with two of their children, visited Steinbach in celebration of Manitoba’s Centennial. I was 16 years old, standing on the crowded Main Street, waving and smiling as the royals passed by. It was so exciting to be there!
I had felt a connection not only with the monarch, but also with teenagers Prince Charles and Princess Anne who were just a few years older than myself. It felt like I was part of something bigger, sharing this moment with royalty.
From then on, I always felt a sense of pride and peacefulness knowing that Canada – my country – belongs to a commonwealth of several independent sovereign nations with historical connections. That in itself was, and is, the basic component of my identity as a Canadian, for much of my adult life.
It felt comforting to know we are part of a group of countries who share the same values of human rights, international peace, and democratic governance. And it has always felt good to know that the United States of America – our neighbour to the south – is not part of the Commonwealth.
So when the early chatter began about King Charles planning a state visit to Washington DC, my initial reaction was disbelief. Seriously? There’s no way he would do such a thing to Canada! That would be like a gut punch to us, considering everything going on right now.
I thought for sure he would cancel his plans to visit the USA, and gave him the benefit of the doubt right up until the day of his arrival. Still believing he would not go through with it. Especially in light of Trump’s continued ‘51st state’ threats, illegal trade tariffs being implemented, and lies being spread about our country.
Also because of the violence being committed by I.C.E. against American citizens, and the inhumane conditions of prisoners in so-called ‘detention centres’. Not to mention the uncalled for and illegal bombing attacks on Venezuela and Iran, choking the life out of Cuba, and the ongoing intimidation of Greenland.
We can’t forget his scathing words about the Pope, and his disgusting racist and sexist rants. What about his endless and shameless lies, the trampling of free speech, and the destruction of truth right before our very eyes. Every diversion is designed to distract attention from the Epstein Files scandal – in which King Charles’ brother Andrew is directly involved. How could he even think about visiting?
The chaos created by Donald Trump and his regime is not only affecting Canada – a member country in King Charles’ commonwealth – but is far reaching in the havoc it is wreaking globally. The King’s visit will only help to further fuel Trump’s monstrous ego, and continue to encourage the unhinged lunatic who is hellbent on terrorizing the entire world.
What King in his right mind would ignore everything that Trump has done, toss it all aside, and carry on with ‘business as usual’ by showboating the pomp and circumstance of a royal visit?
What kind of King would reward Trump’s deplorable deeds, nasty behaviour, and dangerous rhetoric, by legitimizing him on the international stage rather than calling for justice and accountability?
Sadly, to many Canadians like myself who once loved and admired the royals, King Charles’ visit with Trump questions the very relevancy of the monarchy.
Does it still have a place in today’s Canada as we know it? Does it still mean something special? Does it even matter to anyone anymore?
For me, through the unexpected tears and flood of emotion, the answer eventually became crystal clear.
He was my King until that day.
