In early September 2025, in the quiet village of Richmound, Saskatchewan, a most peculiar scene unfolded. Romana Didulo, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada,” was arrested by the RCMP along with 15 of her followers. The authorities seized 13 imitation semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, and electronic devices from their compound, a decommissioned school. Didulo's arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of fringe conspiracy movements in Canada.

The Royal Pretender

Romana Didulo's journey from a businesswoman to a self-declared monarch is as unconventional as it is unsettling. After moving to Canada in 1990, Didulo ventured into various business endeavors, none successful. Her prominence surged in 2020 when she founded the “Canada 1st Party,” a political entity that never registered officially but served as a platform for her increasingly bizarre claims. She proclaimed herself the “Queen of Canada,” later expanding this to “Queen of the World,” asserting that her authority was bestowed by a secret faction within the American military. What’s next? Perhaps “Queen of the Entire Universe”?

Didulo's narrative was a toxic mix of QAnon conspiracy theories, including baseless allegations about Chinese military occupation and human harvesting of the chemical adrenochrome. She issued decrees demanding the destruction of COVID-19 vaccines and encouraged followers to defy public health measures. Her rhetoric escalated to calls for violent actions, such as firing on migrants at the Canada-U.S. border. Despite her claims, legal authorities consistently rejected her assertions, and her followers faced legal repercussions for attempting to use her pseudolegal documents.

Of Cults and Religions

At first glance, Didulo's movement might seem an outlier, but if you look closely, you’ll see striking similarities to established religious structures:

Charismatic Leadership: Both cults and religions often center around a leader who claims direct communication with a divine entity. Didulo positioned herself as a conduit for extraterrestrial beings and ascended masters.

Sacred Texts and Decrees: Followers were instructed to read Didulo's decrees nightly, akin to religious scriptures. These documents dictated actions and beliefs, reinforcing her authority.

Rituals and Symbols: The movement adopted rituals reminiscent of esoteric traditions, such as the use of the “violet flame” and references to the “etheric domain,” borrowing from theosophical and New Age practices.

Unquestionable Authority: Didulo's followers were discouraged from questioning her decrees, mirroring the unquestioning faith often demanded by religious institutions.

These parallels prompt a reflection on the nature of belief systems and the not-so-fine line between cults and religions.

A Mirror to Mainstream Faiths

Now, if you were to ask adherents of mainstream religions about people like Didulo, they'd likely dismiss her as delusional. Yet, many of these same individuals subscribe to belief systems with similar characteristics: charismatic leaders, sacred texts, rituals, and doctrines that discourage questioning. This raises an important question: what exactly distinguishes a cult from a religion?

Religious people will argue that their religion is legitimate simply because more people follow it than a cult. But how many followers does that take? A billion? A million? A thousand? A hundred? And if one religion has twice as many followers as another, does that make it twice as legitimate? The whole idea collapses into an absurd numbers game: it just doesn’t “add up”.

The Rational Path: Humanism

In contrast to faith-based systems, humanism offers a perspective grounded in reason, science, and empathy. It values individuals for their humanity, without the need for supernatural beliefs. Humanism encourages critical thinking and ethical living based on shared human experiences, rather than divine commandments.

As we navigate a world increasingly influenced by misinformation and charismatic figures, embracing a humanist approach can serve as a compass, guiding us toward a more rational and compassionate society.

In the end, the sad tale of Romana Didulo is a royal reminder of the power of belief and the danger of crowns worn without merit. Whether in fringe movements or long-established religions, we must constantly question who holds the throne in our minds, and whether their rule deserves our loyalty.

Additional articles by Andrew