Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized Britain for inviting US President Donald Trump for a state visit (which would be Trump's second as president - ed. note), saying it undermined his government's efforts to present a united front against Trump's remarks about annexing Canada, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Since coming to power in January, Trump has repeatedly said that he wants Canada to become the 51st US state, a proposal that has angered Canadians and forced Britain to try to balance the two North American countries.
British King Charles is also the head of state of Canada as a former British colony. In recent months, the monarch has made a series of symbolic gestures, appearing with Canadian medals, planting a maple tree and declaring himself King of Canada.
Charles, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, is expected to attend the State Opening of the Canadian Parliament on May 27, which will be the first time a British monarch has attended such an event in Ottawa since 1977.
Asked about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to extend an invitation from the British monarch to Trump for an unprecedented second visit to London, Carney told Sky News in an interview: "I think Canadians are not impressed by this gesture given the circumstances. This comes at a time when we have been very clear on the issues of sovereignty."
Carney, who won election last month on a promise to take a tough line against Trump, said Charles' presence in Canada later this month was deliberate.
"All the issues of Canadian sovereignty were raised by the president. "So no, it's not a coincidence," he said.
Starmer, who is trying to improve trade relations with the United States after Britain's exit from the European Union, is seeking to play to her strengths in dealing with Trump, touting her security expertise and promising higher defense spending.
Trump, whose mother was born in Britain and who has repeatedly praised the British royal family, this month negotiated a limited bilateral trade deal with London.
When asked about Carney's criticism, senior British minister Pat McFadden told Sky News that each country should decide how to conduct its relations with other countries.