Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized King Charles’ invitation to Donald Trump for another state visit.

He said the invitation undermined his government’s efforts to project a unified front against the US president’s speech on the annexation of Canada.

Since joining in January, Trump has repeatedly said that he wants Canada to become the 51st US state, a proposal that has angry Canadians and left Britain trying to take a fine line between the two North American countries.

King Charles is also the head of the State of Canada, a former British colony, and the monarch has made a number of symbolic movements in recent months, wearing Canadian medals, planting a maple tree and referring to himself as the king of Canada.

Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, will also participate in Canada’s state opening of parliament on May 27, the first time a British monarch has participated in the event in Ottawa since 1977.

In an interview with Sky News, Carney was asked about British Prime Minister Keir Stormer’s steps in February to use his visit to the Oval Office to give Trump an invitation from the monarch to an unprecedented other state visit to London.

“I think, to be honest, they (Canadians) were not impressed with that gesture … Given the circumstance. It was at a time when we were fully aware of the problems of sovereignty,” he said.

“All questions about Canada’s sovereignty have been highlighted by the president. So no, it’s no coincidence, but it’s also an affirmative moment for Canadians,” he said.

Trump, whose mother was born in Britain, and who has repeatedly praised the British royal family, agreed with a limited bilateral trade agreement with London this month.