King visits Canada to open parliament against backdrop of tensions with Trump

King Charles is expected to arrive in Ottawa today as he prepares to formally open Canada's parliament in what Mark Carney, the new prime minister, has said reflects the monarch's role as "steadfast defender" of the country amid threats to its sovereignty.

- Leyland Cecco

Charles, Canada's head of state, will open the 45th parliament tomorrow by giving a speech from the throne in the country's Senate, laying out the new government's policy goals.

Carney's invitation to Charles comes against the backdrop of Donald Trump's repeated threats that the US should annex Canada and make it the 51st state. The king will, however, be tightly constrained by what he can say.

The US ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, said that his country was "thrilled" the king was visiting - but said there were more straightforward ways to make his point.

"If there's a message in there, there's easier ways to send messages. Just give me a call. [Mark] Carney can call the president at any time," he told CBC News.

Charles recently wore a British admiral's uniform with the insignia of the Canadian military and later planted a red maple tree on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, both actions seen by some as tacit support for Canada.

During his visit, Charles and Queen Camilla will meet community groups and take part in street hockey, where he is expected to drop the puck to start the game.

But the visit is also expected to once again revive questions over whether Canadians still want a monarch as their head of state.