King Charles III has been showing signs of being a monarch who is willing to engage with the public and take an active role in different causes, according to experts. Nathan Tidridge, Vice-President of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, believes that the King is more “active and engaged” than his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Tidridge cites examples of the King’s recent decisions, such as hosting a Buckingham Palace reception for key players ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt and making a direct request to Australia to include Indigenous people in its delegation attending his coronation.
Despite Charles’ efforts, the Canadian public remains skeptical. Polling released in March by marketing firm Leger found that 67% of Canadians surveyed were indifferent to the King. Only 12% said it was good that he was monarch, and just 13% felt a personal attachment to the monarchy. More than half of those surveyed said it’s time for the country to reconsider its ties with the institution.
Experts believe that the King’s ability to connect with the Canadian public depends on the federal government. Under Canada’s constitutional setup, the sovereign acts under the advice of an elected representative, meaning he cannot visit Canada or take significant action without the approval of the Prime Minister’s Office. Both Tidridge and Carolyn Harris, a historian and commentator on the Royal Family, believe that Ottawa has not made coronation celebrations a priority. With the coronation less than two weeks away, the federal government has yet to announce the makeup of its delegation or plans for a celebration on Canadian soil, and there has been little buzz around the event.
Harris believes that Canadians remained attached to Queen Elizabeth until her death and saw her as a figure of stability. However, Charles has previously courted controversy with his first wife, Diana, and there have been tensions with his youngest son, Prince Harry. While Charles and his wife Camilla have been well-received on visits to Canada, his desire for a “slimmed-down” monarchy with fewer working members means that such visits may be shorter and less frequent.
Despite the skepticism of the Canadian public, Tidridge firmly believes that Charles could connect with Canadians if given a chance. He suggests that a longer tour of Canada, highlighting the values the King shares with Canadians, including his environmentalism, commitment to preservation of built and natural environments, and commitment to working with Indigenous communities, would go a long way towards winning over the Canadian public.