The King's show of solidarity to Canada

KING Charles arrives in Canada tomorrow for a landmark visit hailed as a sign of strength and support for the country amid its war of words with Donald Trump.

- RUSSELL MYERS and JENNIFER NEWTON

He and Queen Camilla will land in Ottawa ahead of Canada's state opening of Parliament when, just like in Britain, the King will read the Speech from the Throne.

It will be the first time in nearly 40 years that a British monarch has attended the event.

Royal sources said the King's "deep affection for Canada and loyalty to Canadians everywhere" prompted him to accept without hesitation when he received an invitation to attend the state opening from the country's new Prime Minister Mark Carney.

But Charles' visit to Canada one of the 14 realms where he is monarch - comes in the wake of verbal aggression from the American president.

Mr Trump has sparked outrage by saying Canada should become the 51st state of America.

He has also threatened the country with a trade war.

Mr Carney's victory last month in the Canadian election was partly fuelled by his Liberal Party's stern opposition to the US President's politics.

The former Bank of England governor has said his country needs to stand up to its neighbour to the south and has warned Mr Trump wants to "break us so America can own us". When Mr Carney met the US President at the White House days after his election victory, he told him Canada was "not for sale".