King Charles is traveling to Ottawa this week. Readers shared their thoughts on the royal visit

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King Charles III is set to have his first official visit to Canada as monarch, after Prime Minister Mark Carney invited him to deliver the Throne Speech to open up Parliament.

Senior Canadian government officials have said the King’s speech will be a show of Canada’s sovereignty, at a time where Canadians feel threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s 51st State comments.

Last week, we asked Globe readers how they felt about the King’s visit. From thrilled to ambivalent, here are some highlights.

With King Charles set to visit Canada, the monarchy finds new relevance as Trump threatens annexation

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

I love the fact that the King is more involved in Canadian politics - even just in a representative way. It is a beautiful reminder of our deep connection and history with England, and it is what sets us apart from the U.S. - Karin Nelson, Chiliwack, B.C.

I believe it is time for Canada to separate all ties to the Crown. Parliamentarians should swear their loyalty to the their fellow countrymen and the citizens they are elected to serve. The continued influence and symbolic power of the King reflects a time of regal oppression and ought be discontinued by any self-respecting democracy. - Alexander Graboski, Calgary

I am very happy the King is coming to do our Throne Speech. I believe this sends a clear message to our southern neighbours regarding our status as a sovereign nation. I heard the new American ambassador say that we don’t need to send messages and basically has said we need to get over ourselves and move on. I disagree. There are consequences to bad actions and the Americans need to understand how angry Canadians really are about being stabbed in the back and that we are not going to be forgetting it for a very long time. - Tracy Ross, Ottawa

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I think it is time we broke away from the monarchy. There is no benefit from it, nor any sentimental attachment that can justify the retraumatization of the Indigenous peoples (and quite honestly the many immigrants from colonized countries) when swearing allegiance to the monarch. It feels wrong and regressive to me. - Puneet Mehrotra, Vancouver

Many people dislike the continued Canadian link to the British throne and advocate becoming a true republic, but in reality this is easier said than done. The process of creating a new constitution — including the contentious process of choosing a head of state — and the way in which they are elected or appointed could tear the country apart. We don’t need that especially now. So let us accept the relationship as it now stands, but be sure that it remains relevant to Canadian issues. - Peter Haydon, Halifax

For too long, the monarchy has been personality-based. Many Canadians compare reigns and view the monarchy based on the individual rather than the constitutional significance which helps define our nation. Having Canada’s King open Parliament is not a subordination or dependency, but a reminder of the solidarity we enjoy with a larger organization (the Commonwealth, NATO) and a rich heritage that — once again — distinguishes us from our neighbours to the south. - Dave Griffiths, Dartmouth, N.S.

King Charles’s visit to Canada: A Commonwealth flex with an audience of one

The invitation to King Charles III to deliver the Throne Speech was a shrewd move by PM Carney. It sends a very clear message to President Trump. It gives the Royal Family renewed relevance, and will no doubt give the King a boost during his cancer treatment therapy. I have tried to avoid reading/watching any statements coming from the Office of the White House since January, but will look forward to hearing any statements regarding the King’s visit to Canada. The president is fascinated with the Royal Family so his reaction will be interesting. I look forward to watching Tuesday’s televised live coverage. And of course, reading about it after in the G&M! - Jacklyn Campbell, Toronto

I do believe that this is an anachronism. It’s time for us to stop our subservient relationship. The Bloc is right in that MPs should not have to pledge allegiance to the Crown. Nor should MPPs and members of local councils. We are, indeed, the true north strong and free: free of England and free of the U.S. - Joe McGuire, Lindsay, Ont.

I welcome the visit as I thought the response from Britain in defending Canada’s sovereignty against Trump’s threats to be tepid at best, especially in the beginning. As a naturalized citizen of Canada, I had to take an oath swearing allegiance to the Queen and her heirs and successors, and the presence of the monarchy as the head of Canada was part of my everyday life in my new country. So I found the British silence deafening against the open threats of annexation, given what I was taught as a new citizen. I cannot support enough this visit by King Charles and hope he will play a strong, continuing role in our defense in the future. - Carol Kan, Victoria, B.C.

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I think it’s a clever move on Carney’s part, as it emphasizes the difference between Canada, as a sovereign country, and the U.S. In actual fact, I’m not a monarchist, but realize this is entirely the wrong time for Canada to leave the Commonwealth. - Barbara Campbell, Vancouver

I think the Queen represented the Monarch well given how long she reigned. King Charles III hasn’t made any significant imprint here in Canada, so I am curious on what the context of his speech will be. I am in the middle but we’ll see how this will unfold. - Ted Hernandez, Ajax, Ont.

I enthusiastically welcome King Charles’ official visit to Canada, especially now. I think the monarchy is a wonderful tradition and Canadians should celebrate and strengthen connection to Britain and the Commonwealth. These symbols, ceremonies and traditions, modified and adapted to the 21st century, remain relevant, useful and help us celebrate. King Charles has been a long-time environmentalist and advocate for civil society, among his many causes. He has done what he could to show support for Canada in the face of U.S. aggression. I applaud the Canadian government for inviting him to give the Throne Speech. - John Hughes, Vancouver

Those who see the visit of King Charles III as an outdated custom fail to appreciate that our constitutional monarchy provides us with a sharp distinction from the American political system. And at this time, the actual monarch embodies a sense of history and continuity that cannot be provided by a Canadian Governor General who is in place for only a limited term. Canadians should be thankful that their elderly sovereign, a cancer patient in fact, is facing down the physical strain of jet lag to show Americans that Canadians are a breed apart. - Morris Heffel, Olds, Alta.

Before the tariffs occurred, I would’ve been personally not too happy with the monarchy in Canada, especially when Charles came to the throne. Since then though, I think it’s good that we’re tying ourselves with our heritage and forming a distinct culture, one separate from the Americans. - Colton Barnett, La Salle, Man.

The monarchy as a whole is an outdated custom. Enough already. If he wants to traipse around Great Britain from castle to castle, fine. Let the British taxpayers decide on that. But he is not needed here. - Mary Campbell, Ottawa

The monarchy is outdated. We need to move on from this system that holds certain individuals above others. It has no place in today’s world in which we aim for equity and recognition of the value that all individuals bring contribute society. Why on earth do we continue to hold up an individual who inherited his right to the crown over the countless individuals who have contributed so much good to our world (the teachers, doctors, paramedics, social workers, etc.) without the same resources or platforms on which to do their work. Let’s recognize the role the monarchy has played in the past, but keep it there, in the past. - Emily Rush, Woodbridge, Ont.

Perhaps it was the influence of my Québécoise mother, but I have always been disdainful of the monarchy’s role in Canada. I have always favoured elimination of that role. But for the first time, in the face of President Trump’s antics, I perhaps see some value in the role, not to mention the symbolic importance of this upcoming visit from King Charles. - Sam Schwisberg, Ottawa