MAPLE LEAVERS

King to visit Canada next year..but anti-royal demos feared

- RUSSELL MYERS

THE King will travel to Canada next spring, marking his first visit to a realm where he is monarch since his coronation.

But Charles is being prepared to face protests after polls suggest the country is turning against the royals. He will be accompanied by the Queen for the tour in May, which is expected to last a week.

They visited the Commonwealth country in May last year as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Foreign Office has been working closely with the King's aides to devise a plan for the trip where the royals will face as little opposition as possible.

Sources with knowledge of the visit have revealed initial talks have "raised concerns" over the reception the King and Queen will receive.

Insiders said those responsible for the trip are acutely aware it is likely to be a huge test of his popularity.