Despite the historic nature of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s two-day visit to Ottawa this week, nearly 60% of Canadians say they don’t care about the royal tour, according to a new poll.
The royal couple’s visit marks their first trip to Canada since the King’s coronation two years ago, and the first time a reigning monarch has opened Parliament in Canada since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The King delivered the Speech from the Throne at the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney, outlining the federal government’s legislative priorities.
Yet, the historic milestone appeared to make little impact on public interest.
A poll conducted by INsauga.com asked readers: “Do you care about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Canada?”
Out of 5,507 respondents, 58% (3,194 people) said “No”, while 42% (2,291 people) said they do care.
These numbers echo a broader trend in Canadian public opinion. A 2023 Abacus Data survey showed that two-thirds of Canadians would vote to abolish the monarchy in a hypothetical referendum.
Royal Disconnect?
While supporters emphasize the symbolic and diplomatic significance of the monarchy, particularly at a time of geopolitical tension—including subtle references to U.S. foreign policy in the King’s speech—critics argue that the institution feels increasingly irrelevant to Canadian life.
Calls to remove the monarchy remain unlikely to become reality anytime soon, as such a move would require unanimous consent from all provinces and the federal government to amend Canada’s Constitution.
For now, King Charles and Queen Camilla continue their visit amid a nation clearly divided—and in large part, disengaged—on the role of the Crown.