Charles will automatically succeed Queen Elizabeth II as Canada's head of state without any changes to the country's Constitution, following the tradition of every British monarch since the nation's inception. Despite the widespread respect for the 96-year-old queen, recent polls indicate a diminishing number of Canadians are willing to pledge allegiance to another British monarch, especially Charles, who is unpopular among many and represents an increasingly irrelevant institution to some. The future of King Charles III's rule in Canada remains uncertain, with both supporters and opponents of the monarchy in a state of uneasy balance. The monarchists maintain their formal legal status, enjoy royal tours, and embrace symbolism. However, the Republicans argue that the monarchy does not play a significant role in Canadian life. Charles and Camilla's visit has an Indigenous focus, with events in Newfoundland, Yellowknife, and Ottawa. Climate change discussions and a visit to an ice road will also be included in their trip. One of the main questions surrounding the visit is whether handshaking, typically a key aspect of Royal Tours, will be replaced by a safer form of greeting due to COVID-19. A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed that 55% of Canadians view the monarchy as irrelevant, with an additional 24% believing it is becoming less relevant. 67% of Canadians surveyed opposed the idea of Charles succeeding his mother. Despite being warmly received during his visits to Canada with Diana, his first wife, Charles' popularity waned after their separation in 1992. His occasionally condescending attitude is not well-received in a country that values equality. The connection between Charles’ brother Andrew and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York jail, has further decreased support for the monarchy in Canada. Their reputation was also tarnished after Meghan Markle, Charles’ daughter-in-law, revealed in an interview that she experienced racist remarks from members of the royal family. Despite this, Charles and Camilla are expected to attract attention, especially in St John’s, Newfoundland, where their visit will be a major topic of conversation. The perception of the royals varies based on geography, with the monarchy historically lacking significant support in Quebec, the second-most populous province, where French is predominantly spoken. Canada's changing demographics have played a role in spreading anti-monarchy sentiment beyond its borders. Immigrants from countries like China may not feel connected to Britain's monarchy, while those from India may see it as a symbol of oppression. According to Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid, Canadians may eventually question the presence of the monarch on their money. Despite some support for the monarchy due to respect for the queen, Kurl believes this support will likely decline further after her death. She stated that the lack of motivation to make a change stems from a strong affection for her. Barbados recently transitioned to a republic, with Prince Charles and Rihanna attending the ceremony. Other Caribbean nations may also make the switch. Visits to the Caribbean by Prince Edward and Prince William were met with protests against the monarchy and Britain's history of slavery, leading to the cancellation of some stops. Instead of worrying about potential protests, the organizers of Charles' visit to Canada have focused on ensuring he will have an audience. Apart from a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, there are limited opportunities for large crowds in major cities. Instead, he will be visiting Quidi Vidi, a neighborhood and fishing village in St. John's, a city with a population of 114,000 people, where any appearance by an international celebrity would be a significant event. According to Lagassé and Kurl, the process of amending Canada's Constitution to replace the British monarch as head of state is very challenging, requiring unanimous consent from the federal government and all 10 provinces. In a country where politics are heavily influenced by regionalism, gaining approval for any constitutional change may be extremely difficult. According to Kurl, politicians tend to avoid discussions about constitutional change as it is seen as political poison. Lagassé suggested a potential solution could be to gradually reduce the monarch's role in Canada, as most of the Queen's powers have already been delegated to the governor-general since 1947. Lagassé also mentioned that there are various actions the Canadian government can take without needing to pass new laws or amend the constitution. The queen used to be featured on all of Canada's bank notes, but there is no legal issue with removing her from the last remaining one, the 20 dollar bill, or replacing her image on coins. There is no law that mandates the monarch's portrait to be displayed in government offices or requires royal tours. According to Lagassé, there are many aspects of monarchical symbolism that can be changed, and the current approach in Canada is that the monarchy is present but not essential. "Do not address it, but at the same time, do not let it take up more space than necessary." © 2022 The New York Times Company.