King Charles received the ‘warmest of welcomes’ during his two-day visit to Canada as head of state and is now ‘very much looking forward’ to the next stage of his reign as he continues cancer treatment

King Charles is ‘looking ahead’ in his reign after a successful visit to Canada(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

King Charles is celebrating completing a list of “firsts” following his visit to Canada and is now focusing on the “next stage of his reign”, senior palace sources have revealed.

The monarch – who is also head of state of Canada – used his historic visit to open parliament on Tuesday and pledge his support for the country. Charles declared Canada “strong and free” amid an escalation of threats from US President Donald Trump that its North American neighbour should become the 51st state of America.

Charles’s whistlestop visit, where he and Queen Camilla spent just 24 hours in the country over two days this week, was his first trip to the country as monarch. Our palace source says Charles is now “very much looking forward” to the next stage of his reign, which is continuing at pace despite his cancer diagnosis last February, they added.

The King, 76, is now “used to living with cancer” while he continues his weekly treatment for the disease. Encouragingly, senior aides say he is feeling well and up to the task as he continues his pathway.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave goodbye as they enter the aeroplane at the end of an official visit to Canada(Image: Getty Images)

The source added: “The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it. And that’s what he does. Medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him.

“As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible… [and] that’s exactly what he is doing. It’s no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well.”

Buckingham Palace made no secret of its delight at the reception the King and Queen received on the ground in Canada. Aides suggested the royals are keen to return in the future for a “full schedule royal tour” to celebrate the nation at large, which is historically considered to be the “senior realm” of the 14 other countries where Charles is sovereign.

The visit concluded a list of “first achievements” set by Charles when he acceded the throne in September 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The list included his return to London, following his mother’s passing, his first address to the nation, his first visit to the four nations of the United Kingdom, his first Christmas message, first visit to a realm – which was Australia last October and finally a visit to Canada as the senior realm.

They received the ‘warmest of welcomes’(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

One senior royal aide said: “I think the King was very touched (from the reception in Canada). To go to a realm of which you are King, but in which you don’t actually live, is a big thing when you do it for the first time, as we saw in both Australia and now Canada.

“It is a reset of that relationship, and for Their Majesties to see so many people turn out and to be so thrilled to see them was fantastic. As The King put it in his departure message that came straight from the heart: ‘it was the warmest of welcomes and the fondest of returns to a nation and a people we love’.”

From the Senate throne in Ottawa, the King said Canada faced a “critical moment” in its history, referencing the unity of the monarchy and country at a time when its sovereignty is under threat. Senior palace sources said the King wanted his address, the first in the chamber from a British monarch since 1957, to be “thought provoking, not provocative”, and was encouraged at the reception from Canadians across the political and social divides.

Charles’ rallying cry urged Canadians to use the opportunity of “the drastically changing world “to think big and to act bigger”. Our source added: “It’s all about commending what is positive. And that’s what the sovereign does, it’s not the sovereign’s job to start pointing fingers.

The King said Canada faced a “critical moment” in its history(Image: PA)

“What the king was able to do was show very strong support for Canada and what would be the point of being King of Canada if you didn’t show support?”

Donald Trump continued his war of words with Canada yesterday, doubling down on his position that it could become the “51st State” , even claiming Canada was considering the offer. Writing on social media, the US president said if Canada becomes the “cherished 51st State” it would not have to pay to join his future Golden Dome missile programme.

Trump added: “It will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”