In chess the king hangs back – symbolic, powerful and only rarely deployed. In international diplomacy his role depends on who is bringing him into play.

While Sir Keir Starmer has been making use of King Charles III to get closer to Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is using the monarch to repel him.

A British monarch has not delivered Canada’s throne speech – effectively a state opening of parliament – since 1977 and has not opened a brand-new session of parliament since 1957. The monarch’s visit is not a coincidence.

Carney won the Canadian election by rejecting Trump’s suggestion his nation become America’s 51st US state. Trump’s tariffs also jeopardised Canada’s economy, since the US is its biggest trading partner. Carney is using the willing King to make a point.

At Carney’s invitation during the King’s two-day visit to Canada he will deliver the government’s legislative agenda. Like a state opening in the House of Lords in London, Charles will read out a list of bills. However, in Ottawa he will also have some leeway to add a few thoughts of his own. In a suit, not ermine, the monarch’s address will be closely scrutinised for any hint of a rebuke to the US President.........

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