Canada is deleting crucial parts of King Charles’ title shortly before his coronation, following Australia’s example, ostensibly to accommodate modernization.
Ottawa – Throughout the Commonwealth, the call for republicanism is growing louder. Barbados was the latest country to depose the Queen as head of state 18 months ago, effectively leaving the Commonwealth of Nations. Now Canada follows Australia in deciding the title King Charles III (74) to adjust. And that’s just two weeks before the coronation.
The part in Charles III’s official title, “Defender of the Faith”, is lost
Similar to Australia, Canada is a member of the Commonwealth and retains King Charles III. further as ceremonial head of state. However, a recent change in legislation introduced by the ruling Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (51) to the Canadian Parliament means that the British monarch will now be given an updated title. The phrase “Defender of the Faith” is no longer included in the formal address.
The bill also deleted the mention of the United Kingdom in its official royal title in Canada. Was the late Queen (96, † 2022) known in Canada as “Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United KingdomCanada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith‘, King Charles loses the parts ‘Defender of the Faith’ and ‘of the United Kingdom’. His simpler title is thus: “Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth”.
Australia remains a monarchy
Hundreds of opponents of the monarchy protested in Australia to draw attention to the effects of British colonialism. Former colonies that deposed the British monarch as head of state can remain members of the Commonwealth.
In a 1999 referendum, Australians voted nearly 55 percent to retain the monarchy. At the time, the fact that supporters of the republic were divided on the question of whether Australia should retain its parliamentary system of government or introduce a presidential system modeled on the USA played into the hands of the British royal family.
The title change is intended to reflect the idea of ”modernization”.
Annie Cullinan, communications director for the King’s Privy Council in Canada, believes the move is a necessary change to show the modernization of the monarch’s role in the 21st century: “As we prepare for the coronation of the new monarch, a decision has been made met to modernize the title to bring Canada in line with other Commonwealth countries, including Australia,” she told Canadian broadcaster CBC.
Australia had already removed “Defender of the Faith” and references to the United Kingdom from Charles’ title after the Queen’s death in September 2022. Canada’s decision to also change the King’s official form of address comes amid fresh calls for republicanism across the Commonwealth. Charles’ updated title is not the only visible change since Elizabeth II’s reign. In February, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced that the new Monarch will not appear on the Australian $5 bill like Elizabeth II. Sources used: skynews.com.au
