King Charles III and Queen Camilla will embark on a long-anticipated state visit to Canada next week, their first trip to the country since Charles became monarch.
According to the New York Post, the visit comes amid apparent ongoing family strain, as no meeting is expected between the monarch and his son, Prince Harry, who lives in North America.
Scheduled to begin on May 26, 2025, the visit marks King Charles' first official engagement in Canada since ascending the throne. He will be traveling alongside Queen Camilla, with engagements that recognize both their roles within the Commonwealth realm. The royal couple last visited the country together in 2022 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
King Charles, now 76, has visited Canada 19 times over several decades, while Queen Camilla, 77, has previously made five visits. Their upcoming journey includes formal meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, in addition to cultural and governmental events throughout the country.
In a symbolic gesture ahead of their trip, the royal couple visited Canada House in London’s Trafalgar Square earlier this week. There, they were presented with the key to the building and posed for photos with royal enthusiasts. The visit was shared via the official social media account of the royal family, giving the public a glimpse of the upcoming diplomatic venture.
As part of the official itinerary in Canada, Queen Camilla is anticipated to be sworn in as a member of the Canadian Privy Council. This ceremonial honor reflects her status in the Commonwealth and will be among the key moments during the royal tour. The swearing-in will take place during one of their scheduled meetings with Canadian officials.
Despite the length and significance of the visit, reports indicate that there are no plans for King Charles to reunite with Prince Harry during his stay in North America. Although Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, reside on the continent following their departure from royal duties in 2020, no meeting has been arranged between father and son.
This absence of planning underscores the enduring strains within the royal family. Discussion about the rift resurfaced in recent weeks after Prince Harry gave a revealing interview to the BBC. In that appearance, he reflected on his fractured ties with his father and voiced disappointment that they had not reconnected.
During his BBC interview, Prince Harry expressed a desire for peace. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” he said, sharing a rare glimpse into his personal feelings about the situation.
He emphasized the importance of time and family connection. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has,” Harry remarked, alluding to his hopes for future understanding between them. These heartfelt sentiments, however, have not yet manifested in any scheduled contact or reconciliation.
Harry also suggested that ongoing issues around security had affected communication. Referring to the dispute over publicly funded protection in the United Kingdom, he said, “He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.” The BBC summarized the interview by concluding that Harry reiterated his father had not spoken to him.
The comments arrived just weeks after he lost an appeal over taxpayer-funded security in Britain, a matter that has featured prominently in his relationship with his royal relatives. The legal loss and subsequent interview have brought the topic of family unity back into public discussion.
Since officially stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in North America and remained at odds with the royal institution over a variety of issues. Though occasional public outreach has occurred, no consistent reconciliation has unfolded.
The planned itinerary in Canada notably avoids any overlap with Harry’s whereabouts. Officials are not arranging any meeting, reflecting what appears to be continued reluctance or logistical unwillingness to address the familial divide during the short diplomatic mission.
Observers expect the Canadian visit to focus on royal duties, cultural connections, and diplomatic ceremonies rather than personal or familial matters. As head of state for Canada, King Charles will emphasize his constitutional and ceremonial role through his responsibilities during the trip.
The swearing-in of Queen Camilla as a Privy Council member marks one of the tour’s most significant ceremonial proceedings. The couple intends their visit to serve as a key gesture in reaffirming the bonds between the monarchy and Canada under King Charles’ reign.
Meanwhile, Harry’s reflections serve to spotlight the emotional complexity still present behind the scenes. While public interest may linger on the chances of reconciliation, the official agenda remains diplomatically motivated. With the tour likely to attract national attention, the absence of a family reunion may be equally observable.
