Trump paid a state visit to the UK last September (Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Since Donald Trump began his second term in the White House last year, he’s made no secret of his ambition to make Canada the 51st US state.
The president attempted to apply pressure to force the move by increasing tariffs, declaring his intentions to the head of NATO, and even going on the charm offensive by claiming it would become ‘maybe our greatest state’.
Despite all the bluster, he has yet to make any concrete moves in that direction — and now it’s been suggested that it could have something to do with Trump’s respect for the British royal family.
Writing in his new book Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, Robert Hardman has spoken of conversations he had with Trump, where the president expressed interest in taking over Greenland.
The president has made no secret of his admiration for the royal family (Picture: Jeff Gilbert – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Daily Mail report Hardman said: ‘I replied that this would probably destroy Nato and, while we were on the subject, could he please leave Canada alone, too.
‘It had been a staunch ally through history, a gallant D-Day partner and attempting to acquire it would undoubtedly make the King of Canada unhappy.’
The author says this prompted Trump to ask whether Canada still recognises King Charles III as head of state. Upon finding out they do, he attacked the country for its ‘terrible politicians’ before claiming most Canadians live near the US border anyway due to the cold weather.
Trump conceded he ‘wouldn’t be able to deal with Canada’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Ultimately though, the president reportedly conceded he wouldn’t be able to deal with Canada during his remaining time in the Oval office, with Hardman saying this was the ‘closest’ he had heard to an acknowledgment that he would not try and take over the country as long as Charles was in charge.
‘There could be no doubting the esteem in which the late Queen was held by Mr Trump,’ he said. ‘He had also voiced the highest praise for her son and heir, who appeared to be the primary reason why he was no longer sabre-rattling at Canada.’
Charles is due to visit the US at the end of April (Picture: AP)
King Charles himself has made subtle reference to Trump’s ambitions in recent months.
The monarch defended Canada’s sovereignty last June while delivering the Speech From The Throne in Ottawa, saying: ‘Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away,’ said Charles.
‘And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.’
He added: ‘Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. True North is indeed strong and free’.
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