Does the Coronation mean anything for the world and Canada?
Tomorrow, Saturday (May 6, 2023), is the coronation of King Charles III.
After 70 years as a prince, he will become the 62nd monarch to serve in 1,200 years. Amidst the pomp and pageantry, the eyes of the world will be focused on London for this very special occasion. This is very significant for the countries that composed the Commonwealth of Nations, as well.
What does this mean for the world as a whole? And how is it consequential for Canada in particular?
As of today, according to the official website of The Commonwealth, there are 56 independent countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations; the majority of which are former territories or colonies of the British Empire. Although they all pledge allegiance to the King, not all of them have the monarch as head of state.
Commonwealth realms
King Charles will also be the head of state of the following 14 nations that belong to the so-called Commonwealth Realms:
- Antigua and Bermunda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Belize
- Canada
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Saints Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Solomon Islands
- Tuvalu
Some notable facts
These countries are scattered across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. They include some of the biggest, like India and Canada. However, of the world’s 42 tiny states, 33 are members of the Commonwealth. In total, there are 2.5 billion citizens belonging to the Commonwealth countries.
This means that at least 30% of the world’s 8 billion population will tune in for the historic event.
Two takeaways
Two takeaways of immediate importance that would make King Charles III a major player of positive changes on the world stage.
One is his environmental activism. Second is his deep interest in the Indigenous peoples’ cause. The former is very relevant to the world at large; the latter is a huge boost to the Inuit, Metis, and First Nations in Canada.
King Charles III may not be as popular as his mother, Queen Elizabeth. In fact, although 62% of the UK public still express support for the monarchy, favorable perception for the new king is way below the level of excitement that the beloved Queen had enjoyed during her whole reign.
What King Charles III is up against
Before diving into those two takeaways, let us examine some of the challenges King Charles III will be facing, both on the world stage and in Canada.
Many of the members of the Commonwealth of Nations have been playing the game of wait-and-see-who’s-jumping-off-first for decades, whether to become a republic or not. It was the Caribbean Island nation of Barbados that was bold enough to cut ties with the monarchy in November 2021, by removing Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and become a republic. This was less than a year before her death on September 8, 2022. The much-anticipated question is, who’s next?
It has been widely believed that it was out of deep respect for the Queen that talks of getting rid of the monarch as head of state among the members were kept to a whisper. With the Queen gone, and with a less popular King, it won’t be surprising this will be elevated into a very public discussion.
Is the monarchy still relevant?
Understandably so, two prevailing sentiments have been stacked against the monarchy in general: that it is a blatant anachronistic institution in today’s very modern world. And by not cutting their umbilical cord from this relic, these constitutional monarchy nations have been perpetuating that spirit of colonialism.
Interestingly in this regard, of the 2.5 billion citizens living in these Commonwealth countries, more than 60% are aged 29 or under. So, depending on how the monarchy re-invents itself to continue its relevance this new generation will dictate the future of the association. And at 74, King Charles III becomes the oldest monarch to ever take the British throne. It will be a game of wait-and-see, how charming a grandfather figure he will be to the new generation in the Commonwealth.
Mixed feelings
The world, as a whole, has been ambivalent toward the monarchy because it is synonymous with the British colonization of many parts of the world. Many conflicts in today’s world can be traced back to the abusive foreign policies of the British imperial power. One has only to do is go back a very few pages in history to re-discover the horror of the empire’s past – from human rights abuses, destruction of languages and cultures, to massive exploitation of natural resources.
What about the pulse in Canada? What is the future of King Charles III as its new head of state? This kind of discussion is very important to the Canadians because the fast changes to its demographics have been notable for the past five years alone.
The latest survey has found that Canadians’ appetite for the monarchy has been fading fast. And, accordingly, this will accelerate more since King Charles III is not popular among the populace.
It is to be noted that since no politician or political party in Canada is bold and crazy enough to officially endorse the idea of cutting the country’s royal ties, there are two lobby groups that have been butting heads for decades now. One is the Monarchist League of Canada (the pro), and the other is the Citizens for a Canadian Republic (anti). Now these two will surely be busier with each of their agenda soon.
The changing landscape of Canada
This should not come as a surprise. In the past 5 years alone, huge cohorts of immigrants coming into Canada come from countries with less than pleasant past experiences with the British Empire. Many are from Asia, the earth’s most populous continent. For example, in 2022 alone 118,095 immigrants are from India. This is followed by those coming from China. If Immigration Canada stays the course of its immigration quota in the next two years, it is not hard to imagine that the same two groups will be leading the pack. This year Canada targets 465,000 new permanent residents, and in 2024 Canada plans to welcome another 485,000. In 2025 the quota will be 500,000.
Now, it is to be noted that these two groups of immigrants – by ratio as compared to those coming from other countries – have something in common that may distinguish them from the rest of immigrants. These are relatively young and highly educated. Which is a very good news to Canada.
And this follows that soon a great number of politicians, policymakers, society’s movers, and shakers will be coming from these two ethnic groups.
Revisiting history
Again, these immigrants are highly educated. And education means knowledge. And that includes history.
India
Some commentators say that the colonial British were a bunch of sore losers. After ravaging the vast land of India – both of its culture and natural resources, the British finally left. But not without leaving a long-lasting legacy of dividing it. The much-revered Mohandas Gandhi fought for the unity of his country. But in the end, with its infamous “divide and rule” strategy, the British succeeded in the partition in what is now India and Pakistan.
China
As to the Chinese people, the British empire was as exploitative and childish in its attempt to bring the Chinese to their knees. Two Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) were some of the horrific acts the British inflicted on the Chinese people.
The British had been coveting the vast resources of China. They needed fresh raw materials to maintain the Empire. How the British accomplished this would be very pathetic in today’s basic ethical standard.
The opium wars
Since the 18th century, foreign traders (mostly British) flooded China with opium mainly from India. Widespread addiction among the populace resulted to colossal social and economic destruction. The whole fabric of society was deteriorating. But this illegal trade grew significantly by 1820. The Chinese authorities fought back against the importation, by banning, confiscating, and destroying bulks of opium coming in. The British used this pretext to use force. This escalated into a war, two wars in fact.
The victors enjoy the spoils of war
Of course, the Chinese lost in each war. As in every war, the victors dictate what happens next. Treaties would be signed. The Chinese would grant almost anything the British wanted. The most infamous one is the Treaty of Nanjing. It required China to pay an enormous reparation to the British and grant more access to whatever business opportunity the British could fancy.
Hongkong
This is the same treaty that forced China to hand Hongkong to the British on a silver platter. For those who were sad and furious that Hongkong was handed back to China in 1997, be consoled that it was in fact a “stolen property” that was just returned. It is called restorative justice. Just like the other literal treasures that were returned over the years to the once-colonized countries.
This does not imply that new Canadians with roots from countries unjustly treated by the monarchy in the past would be anti-monarch. But it may be too much to expect them to raise their hand and pledge allegiance to the King, as their head of state. It can be likened to an abused spouse who finally has been freed from that relationship but is expected to live with the abuser spouse under one roof.
Confronting the ghosts of the past
These are the past that the monarchy today must be conscious of. For it to find its relevance to the Commonwealth of Nations, and find greater constructive influence on the world stage, it must continue to recognize its ugly past. And lead by example of promoting peace among nations, restorative justice, and the care of planet earth.
Lastly, there are at least two things that can be a good reason for the world to give King Charles III a chance to use his global influence.
This is my hope for the new king
One is his intention and determination to get involved in the dialogue between the federal government, the Church, and the Inuit, Metis, and First Nations in Canada. This shameful part of Canada’s history must find its closure. It has been a very long time. And, sadly, Canada’s politicians – in all stripes and levels – do not have the people’s trust and confidence that they alone can handle this. King Charles III might have something to offer in this regard.
Second, is his passion for the care of the environment. Decades before climate change had become a buzzword, Prince Charles has already been advocating this since at least in the 1970’s. As a king, he can make a huge difference.
Climate change and the king
According to both National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the pace of the rising of sea levels has been more than alarming. If the trend continues, some countries, cities, or states might entirely disappear in our lifetime. However, there is hope that technology and humanity’s will can avert this cataclysm.
Incidentally, many small nations and states belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations are facing the most devastating effects of rising sea levels. Examples are the Maldives (the flattest on earth), Kiribati, Solomon Islands, basically most islands in the pacific. Even the bigger ones like Bangladesh, and India are not to be spared. King Charles III has come for this challenge.
He may be a blessing to the British people. But his positive contribution to humanity might extend to the whole world, and Canada in particular. Maybe the low expectations will be in his favor.
Weakness as strength
He is the head of state to countries who do not give him an elected mandate. Yes, this is true. But this can be his asset. He can choose to do what is right and just, without the worries of people voting him out.
He is not as popular as his mother, Queen Elizabeth. Yes, this is also true. But this also means he has more room to make a positive impact to the world, without having to rely on the shadow of his mother.
In the words of the (Canada) Governor General Mary Simon, when interviewed by CBC’s The House, airing on Saturday:
“I have heard a lot of individuals saying …the polling has said they don’t support the King. But at the same time, I think we need to give him a chance. We need to give him a chance to show us that he is a good leader.”
https://apple.news/A45zz5y2pSyCsqrXhzfwO6Q
What about me?
And as for me? Well, I am not pro or anti monarch; and I am still fascinated by the monarchy. In today’s world full of uncertainties and worries, a kingly coronation filled with pomp and grandeur is one of the greatest spectacles I look forward to. How many coronations like this can one witness in a lifetime?
Even if it means waking up at 4:00 in the morning here in Canada.
What about you? Where will you be during the coronation? Are you excited about it?
Long live the King!
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