Prince Harry’s trip to Canada: ‘A statement of intent’ for King Charles?

Prince Harry travelled to Canada to mark Remembrance Day — an entirely British occasion.

Often compared to Patriots’ Day, its American counterpart, Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 each year — and has been since the end of the First World War — across the UK and the Commonwealth.

This year, as the royal family gathered for the annual Remembrance Sunday’s parade and other events to mark the day in their home country, Prince Harry jetted off to Canada to honour the occasion in his own way.

While in the country, the Duke of Sussex undertook all sorts of engagements — meeting military and civilian veterans and servicepeople at various Canadian charities, attending True Patriot Love Foundation’s National Tribute Dinner, even jokingly thanking the country’s capital for providing him with a wife, since the Duchess of Sussex used to live in Toronto when he first met her.

Now safely back in his current abode of California, where he recently attended the grand birthday festivities of Kris Jenner alongside Meghan Markle, the Duke’s “quasi-royal tour”, according to The Mirror, continues to be analysed by the press and royal observers.

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Per The Telegraph’s deputy royal editor, Victoria Ward, Harry’s latest trip was nothing more than his attempt to reiterate his silent support for the family he remains miles away from — both literally and figuratively.

Ward wrote that with the Duke’s tour of Canada, “You do not have to squint too hard to see what’s going on” — going on to claim that the two-day trip has been “described by some as something of a marker in the sand, a statement of intent”, the editor jotted down Harry’s efforts as his bid to remain connected to the royal institution, led by his father, King Charles.

A matter of identity

A friend has been reported as the source by the British publication to provide them with the synopsis of the Duke’s latest outing as the presentation of a “grown-up statesman-like Harry”.

Where the King’s youngest son may be trying to connect with his father, it is crucial to note that being British and participating in occasions which reflect that part of his identity also remains deeply valuable to him.

Harry recently published a passionate essay, titled The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British – By Prince Harry, reaffirming his connection to Britain.

While his use of the word “currently” in the text attracted considerable attention for its implication — “Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for,” wrote Harry.

Military affiliations

It is also important to observe the fact that Prince Harry has himself been a former military man, serving in the British Armed Forces between 2005 and 2015, during which time he was also deployed on a tour of Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex has always honoured that period in his life, introducing several initiatives towards it, like the Invictus Games, and holding army service in great regard.

During an address at True Patriot Love’s gathering, a Canadian military charity, he told the audience, “Service, at its heart, is reciprocal. Those who serve protect our freedom, our safety, our way of life. And in return, we – as civilians – must protect their future.”

Meanwhile, the fact remains that Canada is also a Commonwealth nation, inherently entwined with the UK — and yes, King Charles serves as their official head of state, which also came under the threat of annexation from the Trump administration in its neighbouring North American territory.

While the King opened a parliamentary session of Canada earlier this year, marking his support for its sovereignty, perhaps Harry also felt the need to echo a similar sentiment with his latest visit.