LONDON

King Charles on Monday welcomed Mark Carney, Canada's new prime minister, to Buckingham Palace in a rare and symbolic meeting.

While the British monarch does not typically meet with foreign premiers during their visits to London, this occasion was marked by a special gesture of diplomacy.

Carney, who last week took the premiership, is in London for a short stay, and after his meeting with Charles, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

Charles’ reception of Carney, Canada’s head of state, holds significant importance.

The monarch's gesture serves to reaffirm the strong ties between the UK and Canada, especially in the context of recent comments made by President Donald Trump suggesting Canada’s annexation by the US, a move fiercely opposed by the country’s leadership and public alike.

While the king’s routine is not to meet with foreign heads of government, the meeting appears to be a deliberate display of solidarity and support for Canada.