Last Friday night marked an unforgettable milestone in Canada's men's soccer history.
Our national men’s team triumphed over Venezuela in a nail-biting penalty shootout, securing a coveted spot in the final four of Copa America, the third most prestigious international soccer tournament in the world. This victory earned Canada the right to challenge the defending world champions, Argentina, in the semi-finals.
As the excitement of Canada’s match unfolded, I made the responsible decision to send my two oldest sons to bed early. They had their own soccer tournaments the next day, both playing Keeper for different teams and age brackets.
The following morning, at around 6 am, they awoke with anticipation, excited to catch the thrilling final minutes of the game and the shootout that I had recorded as they ate their breakfast.
When Canada emerged victorious, our house erupted in celebration. It was a beautiful start to our day - well, except for my sleeping wife and two younger kids who could have used a few more hours of rest.
Throughout the day, I ran from field to field, watching each son play their respective games and cheering them on enthusiastically as they earned win after win. The weekend was going well.
However, the following day, as we prepared for the final games of the tournament, I was preparing breakfast and scrolling through social media, and something caught my attention. And boy, did it strike a nerve. Prince William, the heir to the Canadian throne, our Prince of Wales, was celebrating England's advancement in that other tournament happening across the pond, the Euros.
It was great to see his enthusiastic response to England beating a Swiss team and making it to the next round. Despite my French descent and the fact that our household speaks French, I harbor no animosity towards the English. They won the war; I’m over it. But witnessing the heir to the Canadian throne exulting solely over England's win while completely ignoring Canada's historic achievement stung.
I immediately searched social media, hoping to find a congratulatory message from Prince William or his PR wing, Kensington Palace, acknowledging Canada's significant win and our upcoming match against Argentina. Surely there was something; either the King-who-will-be or his high-priced PR agents would have commented on our historic run. But there was nothing.
Instead, his focus remained entirely on England, with no mention of Canada, a country that he someday hopes to rule.
As a monarchist, I appreciate the role of the monarchy in our democracy. However, it’s crucial that our monarch reflects the evolving identity and achievements of all Canadians. The monarch reigns over us because we allow it to, not simply because it can.
Sunday morning, as my sons and I headed out the door for a big second day, all I could think of was seeing what felt like a foreign prince celebrating a foreign victory - ignoring a historic moment for Canada. It was disheartening. Canada is a mature country that has come into its own. We have fought our own wars, made significant sacrifices on the global stage, and stand as a member of the G7, contributing to international dialogue and policy-making. Yet, despite our accomplishments, we are often seen as either the loveless child of the English monarch or the kid brother of the USA. This perception undermines our sovereignty and the respect we deserve on the world stage.
While we maintain strong ties with England and the United States, these relationships should not come at the expense of our national identity and pride. Our achievements, from victories in war to groundbreaking innovations, reflect a country that is more than capable of standing on its own. Maybe it is finally time for Canada to step up and fully mature. To assert our place in the world with confidence and pride, free from the shadow of external monarchs and influences. This isn't about rejecting our history or alliances; it's about embracing our identity as a strong, independent nation that commands respect and recognition in its own right. If our monarchy is to remain relevant, it must reflect this evolution and respect the accomplishments and spirit of the Canadian people.
The weekend provided a stark contrast to this royal oversight. Both of my kids made it to the playoffs in their respective divisions. One went to penalties in the semi-finals, while the other made it to the championship before losing by a single goal against a heavily favored team. Throughout the day, I found myself rushing back and forth between different fields, cheering both of them on equally. Despite the hectic schedule, I made my presence known and supported them.
This experience made me reflect on whether our future King can genuinely claim the same level of dedication and love for all his subjects. Prince William's clear favoritism towards England over Canada is reminiscent of a parent favoring one child over another. He cheered for England and completely ignored Canada, a country that deserves more respect from our future King.
This, of course, isn’t new, but to me, it’s growing old.
Just as I ensured both of my kids felt equally supported and celebrated, our monarch failed to do the same.
Prince William's oversight felt like a snub to our nation's pride and accomplishments. If the monarchy is to remain relevant in Canada, it must celebrate our victories and share in our moments of glory. It's not just about tradition; it's about respect. Canada deserves a monarch who recognizes all the nations it represents, just as a father supports all of his children.
If Prince William wants to be King of Canada, he must show it through his actions and acknowledgments.
Feel free to send a message to William - I agree - he needs to recognize that Canada has just done something unheard of here - and coming from you it might mean something. I love Canada , I love being part of the Commonwealth - I can't wait to cheer on for the Olympics. I hope William is watching today vs Argentina
How about just putting your nose back in joint and celebrating Canada’s victory! Prince William has a father and wife with cancer and three young children to “favour” on top of his Royal duties. Give him a break, please. Brings to mind: “I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means - except by getting off his back.”