King Charles to call for Commonwealth unity in ‘uncertain times’ in his annual address – amid monarch’s ‘concerns’ over Canada’s trade war with Trump

The King will call for unity during his annual Commonwealth Day address amid the monarch’s ‘concerns’ over Canada’s trade war with Donald Trump.

Charles’ address will be published in full for Commonwealth Day on Monday, when the annual service celebrating the Commonwealth is attended by senior members of the royal family and a congregation of invited guests.

It comes as the the King is said to be concerned over Canada’s tariff war with the US, with the issue being ‘particularly on his mind’.

On Monday, he met the outgoing Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who has repeatedly clashed with the US president, at his private estate in Norfolk estate.

Trump has been mocking Trudeau for months, threatening to annex Canada, of which Charles is head of state, as the 51st state and referring to the prime minister as ‘Governor Trudeau.’ 

After meeting with Charles, Trudeau posted on X confirming that the pair had discussed the issue saying: ‘We spoke about matters of importance to Canadians — including, above all, Canada’s sovereign and independent future.’ 

A source close to the King told the Times: ‘It is business as usual, but with everything on a heightened level of significance. Canada is particularly on his mind. Of course, he knows he has to be mindful of being the UK head of state and the head of state in Canada, as well as being the head of the Commonwealth. It does require delicate diplomacy, given that not everyone’s interests are aligned.’ 

The US imposed 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada rocketing the country into a trade war on Tuesday. 

But just days later, Trump reversed his economic slap down saying that goods that are compliant with the North American free trade agreement with not be tariffed until April 2 and are apparently considering a similar carve out for Canada. 

During the Commonwealth Day service, The King will tell the gathering at Westminster Abbey: ‘In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.’

Charles will also say: ‘The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today.’

Trudeau is set to officially transition to a new leader once his Liberal Party holds leadership elections on Sunday. That new leader will soon face a national election shortly after.

He is trying to have some semblance of a victory lap after being forced to resign when it appeared he could not win the next election.

At a press conference in Ottawa discussing childhood health care, he clearly saw the end of the line and became emotional.

‘On a personal level, I made sure that every single day in this office, I put Canadians first and I have peoples’ backs and that’s why I’m here to tell you all that we got you, even in the last days of this government, we will not let Canadians down today and well into the future,’ he said as he’d clearly started to cry.

He added that he is to looking forward to ‘a transition to my duly elected successor in the coming days or week.’

Meanwhile, Trump continues to mock Trudeau and had his doubts that the prime minister was stepping down for good. 

‘Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the Tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister. So much fun to watch!’

The next Canadian election will be held no later than October 20, 2025.  

This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the ‘enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family’. 

The King, who is head of the Commonwealth, gives an annual address each year to the family of 56 nations, but last year pre-recorded a video message, after postponing his public-facing duties for about three months after being diagnosed with cancer.

The Princess of Wales also missed the service last year, a key event in the royal calendar, after also being diagnosed with cancer, but will be among the congregation alongside the King, Queen and Prince of Wales.

Kate is still making a gradual return to public duties after saying she is in remission.

William, Kate, Charles and Camilla will be joined by the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the service, said Buckingham Palace.

During the service, singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading will perform an arrangement of her well-known hit Love And Affection for the 2,000-strong congregation. 

On the same day, the King will launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

It marks the 18th official Commonwealth Games relay, and Charles’s first as King.

He will place a message inside the baton, which will be sealed and kept closed until the opening ceremony next summer, when his words will be read out to signal the start of the competition.

Charles will hand the baton to the first baton-bearer, six-time Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

Sir Chris, who has terminal prostate cancer, will walk through the Palace’s Quadrangle to the Centre Arch, along a pathway lined by pipers from the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band London.

Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth secretary-general, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday and hear a commemorative song by Lord Lloyd-Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.