King Charles set for Canada trip in days amid Prince Harry 'reconciliation' plea
The king and queen fly to Canada on Monday
King Charles is embarking on a visit to Canada this week with wife Queen Camilla after his estranged son Prince Harry called for a reconciliation.
The two-day visit is scheduled for May 26 to 27.
The king and Queen Camilla travel to Ottawa for a whirlwind itinerary filled with diplomacy and community engagement. But Camilla could be facing a “fear” on the trip.
The trip comes just weeks after Prince Harry publicly appealed for a reconciliation with his family, highlighting his father’s ongoing cancer treatment and the toll of their estrangement.
King Charles set for Canada trip after Prince Harry’s reconciliation comments
“I would love reconciliation with my family,” Prince Harry told BBC News earlier this month. “There’s no point continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Despite Harry’s plea, sources close to the monarchy indicate the king remains focused on his role in the monarchy.
Insiders recently told The Times that key figures such as Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Queen Camilla are not supportive of any reunion at this time.
However, Charles’ visit to North America has sparked renewed speculation: Could a royal reunion be possible, even if only behind closed doors?
Harry currently resides in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two kids – Archie and Lilibet.
King and queen’s Canada trip itinerary
Last week, in a post shared by the official royal family Instagram account, the palace detailed the couple’s busy itinerary.
“Next week, the king and queen will visit Canada,” they wrote. “His Majesty has visited Canada 19 times previously, and Her Majesty five times, although this is the king’s first visit as Sovereign.”
The post confirmed that on arrival in Ottawa, Charles and Camilla will join a community event showcasing Canada’s cultural heritage and diversity. The king will also meet with Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, while Queen Camilla will be sworn into the Canadian Privy Council.
One key moment will be the State Opening of Parliament, where King Charles – who is head of state of Canada – will deliver a speech from the throne.
I can’t wait to see the photos of Their Majesties at that state visit.
The occasion will be only the second time that the Sovereign has opened a Parliament, following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II, who last opened Parliament in 1957.
But Queen Camilla may face a “fear” she reportedly has on the trip. According to former royal butler Grant Harrold, Camilla isn’t keen on flying.
Grant said on behalf of Slingo: “Camilla is definitely not a fan of flying. While she has to travel all over the world, flying was never her favourite mode of transport. I don’t think it’s to do with the heights – it’s more the turbulence. But even though she has this fear, she deals with it when she does have to travel.”
King Charles and Prince Harry reconciliation latest
The timing of the Canada trip has reignited questions about whether King Charles and Prince Harry might finally speak face-to-face.
Both will be on the same continent, Charles in Canada and Harry in California, where he lives with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The visit also holds deep personal significance for the king. He made his first official visit to Canada in 1970 and last visited in 2022 with Camilla during Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
This year’s trip will also include a commemorative tree planting at Rideau Hall, near the sugar maple that the king and queen planted in 2017.
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