.png)
Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, has criticized King Charles' invitation to Donald Trump for a second state visit.
He said that the invitation harmed his government's efforts to present a united front against the US president's rhetoric of annexing Canada.
Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly said that he wants Canada to become the 51st state of the United States, infuriating Canadians and leaving Britain attempting to strike a delicate balance between the two North American countries.
King Charles is also the head of state of Canada, a former British colony, and the monarch has made many symbolic gestures in recent months, including wearing Canadian medals, planting a maple tree, and referring to himself as the King of Canada.
Charles, who is still having cancer treatment, will also attend Canada's state opening of parliament on May 27, marking the first time a British monarch has attended the occasion in Ottawa since 1977.
In an interview with Sky News, Carney was questioned about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision in February to use his visit to the Oval Office to offer Trump an invitation from the monarch for an extraordinary second state visit to London.
"I believe, to be honest, they (Canadians) were unimpressed by that gesture... given the circumstances. "It was at a time when we were very clear about the issues surrounding sovereignty," he explained.
"All problems concerning Canada's sovereignty have been highlighted by the President. So, sure, it's not a coincidence, but it is also a reassuring time for Canadians," he explained.
Trump, whose mother was born in Britain and who has frequently lauded the British royal family, signed a limited bilateral trade pact with London this month.
