Britain’s King Charles III (C) poses with Grand Chief Joey Pete Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 (L), Chief Edwin Ananas Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation (2L), Chief Daryl Watson Mistawasis Nêhiyawak (3L), Chief Larry Ahenkew Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation (4R), Councillor Gary LaPlante Stoney Knoll First Nation (3R), Chief Christine Longjohn Sturgeon Lake First Nation (2R), and Chief Desmond Bull Louis Bull Tribe (R), who are seven elected representatives of First Nations signatories to Treaty Number Six, the 1876 treaty between the Crown and First Nations in modern-day Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, during an audience at Buckingham Palace in central London on March 11, 2026.

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Marni Rose McFall

By Marni Rose McFall

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King Charles III has expressed “concern” over the Alberta separatist movement, according to Indigenous leaders who met with the head of state at Buckingham Palace.

Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations said in a news release that he and other leaders had made the King aware of the “threat” the movement represented. He said that the Kind was “very interested” in what they had to say.

Newsweek has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

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Why It Matters

Members of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, a political alliance representing the First Nations, travelled to London from their territories in the province of Alberta, in order to raise the alarm over the secessionist movement.

Britain's King Charles III (C) poses with Grand Chief Joey Pete Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 (L), Chief Edwin Ananas Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation (2L), Chief Daryl Watson Mistawasis Nêhiyawak (3L), Chief Larry Ahenkew Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation (4R), Councillor Gary LaPlante Stoney Knoll First Nation (3R), Chief Christine Longjohn Sturgeon Lake First Nation (2R), and Chief Desmond Bull Louis Bull Tribe (R), who are seven elected representatives of First Nations signatories to Treaty Number Six, the 1876 treaty between the Crown and First Nations in modern-day Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, during an audience at Buckingham Palace in central London on March 11, 2026.

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They argued that it ignores key agreements signed between First Nations and the Crown almost 150 years ago.

Some residents of the oil-rich province in western Canada argue that the province’s woes are due to the structure of payments to the federal government. Alberta often has the highest GDP per capita and the highest median income in the country.

What To Know

Grand Chief Pete said that the King was “committed to learning more."

The meeting comes as a grassroots separatist movement in the western Canadian province has gathered signatures in a bid to force a session referendum in October.

The First Nation leaders in Alberta have voiced opposition to this, with some filing legal changes. First Nations chiefs asked the King to issue a Royal Proclamation, which would affirm treaties with the Crown.

Grand Chief Pete said in a statement that the meeting had been “significant” as “Treaty partners and equals,” and said that the King had asked lots of questions.

Laws which govern the relationship between Canada’s First Nations and the Canadian government are outlined by treaties, signed with the Crown, in some instances prior to the creation of Canada itself. These treaty rights are protected by the Canadian Constitution.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked about an upcoming meeting with the King, during a visit to the United Kingdom, where he will also meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He was asked about separatist concerns, and if this is something he will discuss with the King.

“His Majesty in all my experience takes an intense interest in the rights of indigenous peoples,” he said.

What People Are Saying

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, while speaking to press: “He will be very interested first and foremost, just by his nature I know this, in terms of what we’re talking about today, the progress that’s being made, what’s coming next, the impact of climate change on the Northeast, these issues are front and center and constant for him.”

What Happens Next

Carney is expected to meet with the King on Monday.

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