Without changing the Constitution of Canada, Charles is set to become the country's head of state after Queen Elizabeth II, following the tradition of British monarchs since the country's inception. Despite the widespread respect for the queen among Canadians, polls indicate a decreasing number of citizens are willing to pledge allegiance to another British monarch, particularly Charles, who is unpopular and represents an institution seen as increasingly irrelevant. The future of King Charles III's rule in Canada remains uncertain, with both sides of the debate currently in a stalemate according to Philippe Lagassé, an expert on the monarchy's role in Canada from Carleton University. The monarchists continue to uphold the formal legal status and enjoy occasional royal visits and symbolic gestures. However, the Republicans argue that the monarchical principle doesn't play a significant role in Canadian society. Charles and Camilla's visit to Canada, which includes events with an Indigenous theme in light of recent discoveries at residential schools, will include stops in Newfoundland, Yellowknife, and Ottawa. The trip will also involve discussions on climate change and visits to areas affected by it. It is uncertain whether handshaking, which has traditionally been a key part of Royal Tours, will be replaced with a safer form of greeting due to COVID-19. A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed that a majority of Canadians believe the monarchy is becoming irrelevant, with 67% opposing the idea of Charles becoming king after his mother. Charles was once greeted by large crowds during visits to Canada with his first wife Diana, but interest in him waned after their separation in 1992. His condescending attitude is not well-received in a nation that values equality. The connection between Charles' brother Andrew and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in a New York jail, has further diminished support for the monarchy in Canada. The reputation of the royal family was also tarnished after Meghan Markle, Charles' daughter-in-law who resided in Toronto and British Columbia, revealed in an interview that she had experienced racially insensitive remarks from members of the royal family. However, Charles and Camilla are expected to attract crowds, especially in St John's, Newfoundland, where their visit will be a major topic of discussion. The perception of the royals varies depending on the region. Historically, the monarchy has not had significant backing in predominantly French-speaking Quebec, the second most populous province in Canada. Canada's shifting demographics have played a role in spreading anti-monarchy sentiments. Many immigrants in Canada originate from countries like China, with no ties to the British monarchy, or from countries like India where the crown is seen as a symbol of oppression. According to Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid, there may come a point when Canadians question the presence of the monarchy on their currency. Kurl attributes the remaining support for the monarchy to respect for the queen, but predicts that it will decline further after her passing. She stated that the lack of motivation to make a change is largely due to a genuine affection for the queen. Barbados recently removed the queen as its head of state and transitioned to a republic in a ceremony attended by Prince Charles and Rihanna. Other Caribbean nations may also consider making the same change. Prince Edward and Prince William both faced protests during their separate tours of the Caribbean this year due to objections to the monarchy and Britain's history of slavery. As a result, some stops on their tours had to be canceled. Instead of being concerned about potential protests, the organizers of Charles' visit to Canada have focused on ensuring that he has an audience. Besides a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, there are limited opportunities for large crowds to gather 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 is sure to be a significant event. Changing Canada's Constitution to remove the British monarch as head of state is a challenging process, requiring unanimous consent from the federal government and all 10 provinces, according to Lagassé and Kurl. In a country where politics are heavily influenced by regionalism, gaining approval for constitutional changes may be extremely challenging. According to Kurl, most politicians view any discussion of constitutional change as something to be avoided at all costs, preferring to ignore the issue altogether. Lagassé suggested that one potential solution could be to speed up the ongoing process of reducing the monarch's role in Canada. He noted that since 1947, the Queen's largely symbolic powers have been delegated to the governor-general, her official representative in Canada. Lagassé also mentioned that there are several measures that the Canadian government can implement without the need for legislation or constitutional amendments. 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, according to experts. It is also not necessary to have the monarch's portrait in government offices or mandate royal tours. According to Lagassé, there are many aspects of monarchical symbolism that can be changed in Canada, but the general approach is that the monarchy is still intact. Do not engage with it, but also do not allow it to take up more space than necessary. © 2022 The New York Times Company.