King Charles walking 'tightrope' with Canada visit: Former royal butler
King Charles III is walking a diplomatic "tightrope" as he balances a royal visit to Canada with trying to keep U.S. President Donald Trump sweet, according to the monarch's former butler.
Grant Harrold, who worked for at the royal family from 2004 until 2011, made the claims to a British broadcaster on Monday, as the monarch prepares to open the Canadian Parliament this week.
Newsweek has reached out to Buckingham Palace by email seeking comment.
Why It Matters
The king, who is head of the Commonwealth, which includes Canada, is due to give a historic speech to Canadian lawmakers during the ceremony on Tuesday. It will play out against the dramatic backdrop of Trump's talk of annexing the country as America's "51st state."
However, the king has also invited Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the U.K., in a move that was slammed by disgruntled Canadian Prime minister Mark Carney.
The monarch will be hoping to offer support to Canada in the face of Trump's comments, while simultaneously deflecting any animosity from Trump towards the U.K. It will be a difficult task to avoid offending anyone, and this is the tightrope that Charles must walk.
What To Know
The British royal family are supposed to rise above politics, but are often deployed in soft diplomacy to use their influence abroad to promote the U.K.'s aims or values.
The king will attempt to smooth over any international tensions surrounding Trump and Canada at a time when Trump's relationship with the U.K. has also been under strain, amid tariff negotiations and recent criticisms of the country's "ugly" wind energy drive.
In addition, the trip comes at a time when the British monarchy is suffering a loss of popularity in Canada, something the King will be hoping to turn around during a charm offensive with his wife, Queen Camilla, by his side.
Former butler Harrold says the 76-year-old king, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, will be conscious of the need to avoid putting a foot wrong as he walks along a diplomatic "tightrope."
Harrold, who served at the royal country estate Highgrove for seven years, also revealed that the monarch has a particular fondness for Canada.
"I remember when I worked for him, obviously without breaking confidence, you become aware of the loves of his life and places he enjoys visiting," he said. "And I know Canada is certainly among them. And he's been there 19 times—this is his 20th visit, so that gives you an indication of how important Canada is to him…Canada has got a very special place in his heart, without any question."
It will be the first time a British monarch has opened the Canadian parliament since King Charles' mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, did so 68 years ago.
What People Are Saying
Former royal butler Grant Harrold spoke about the king's visit during an interview with British broadcaster GB News on Monday, saying: "He's also going to send out a very careful—but a very strong—message, if you like, to President Trump…that the king is very protective of Canada as its head of state."
He added: "The amazing thing when it comes to the royal family is that they try not to get involved in politics. That's quite a golden rule that Queen Elizabeth II was quite strict about. But, saying that, they do kind of assist with different things…It is a very diplomatic process, if you like, that's going on. And it is a tightrope that's got to be very carefully walked.
"Because obviously the king is giving on the one hand a very clear message that he's supportive of Canada, as it's head of state, and basically telling Trump to keep his hands off. But at the same time, he's given them (the U.S.) another state visit to the U.K., which is slightly unprecedented. And he's going to be giving all the pomp and circumstance that would be expected again, which President Trump of course will love. So the king is very diplomatic, he's very clever, and I think that he does an amazing job when it comes to this kind of thing."
What Happens Next
All eyes will be on King Charles as he navigates the potentially fraught visit as he attempts to keep both Canada and the U.S. on side.