International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation Volume 6 2023 16
The Social Phenomenon of Romana Didulo: “Queen of Canada”
Christine M Sarteschi, PhD, LCSW
Chatham University
Abstract: Romana Didulo is a conspiracy theorist who claims to be the ruler of Canada, despite all evidence to
the contrary. She has a fairly large following in social media. Her movement, though not easily categorized, can
best be described as a combination of QAnon, sovereign citizen/pseudo-legal, conspirituality, and anti-vaccination
motifs. This overview explores her belief system, her origins, the evolution of her movement, and the behavior of her
followers. This review finds that Didulo poses two main kinds of threats. She: 1) encourages followers to engage in
vigilantism, and 2) has created a pool of desperate people who have had their utilities shut off, and lost their vehicles
and homes. People are suffering as a result of her edicts.
Keywords: Romana Didulo, cult, conspiracy theories, QAnon, sovereign citizen, New Age, anti vaxx,
conspirituality
I. Introduction
Romana Didulo is a Philippine born immigrant, in
her 50s, who contends she is the leader of Canada. She
has adopted the titles of “Queen and Commander-in-
chief, Head of State and Government, President and
National Indigenous Chief of the Kingdom of Canada.”
Didulo and eleven of her closest followers are currently
on their third tour of Canada. They utilize multiple
recreational vehicles (RVs) (see Figure 1) and travel to
meet-and-greet locations where Didulo gives speeches,
sometimes several times a week. Didulo maintains
multiple Telegram channels and has approximately
50,000 followers who cheer her on and fund her travels.
The purpose of this article is to expand the knowledge
base of this social phenomenon using observation
and analysis of Didulo’s social media postings and the
content of her speeches. This article tracks Didulo’s
rise, describes her belief system, and documents the
activities of her and her followers.
Didulo and her followers express beliefs that combine
QAnon, sovereign citizen/pseudo-legal, conspirituality,
and anti-vaccination motifs. QAnon is a conspiracy-
based belief system. Its followers claim that high level
Democratic politicians control the government and
all media, and are harming children (Moskalenko
&McCauley, 2021). QAnon followers are highly
concerned about the “cabal,” powerful individuals who
they believe are working covertly behind the scenes
(Moskalenko &McCauley, 2021). The cabal, they
Figure 1 -One of Romana Didulo’s recreational vehicles. Note the
Manitoba licence plate.
believe, is also seeking to acquire adrenochrome from
the blood of children to extend their personal lifespans
(Garry, Walther, Mohamad, &Mohammed, 2021).
Sovereign citizens are individuals who reject their
respective governments as illegitimate, and do not
believe conventional laws apply to them they instead
are subject to a different, superior law (Kalinowski,
2019 McRoberts, 2019 Netolitzky, 2021 Sarteschi,
2020). Conspirituality is a term coined by Ward and
Voas (2011) that describes individuals who combine a
New Age belief system with conspiracy theories where
secret groups control the political and social order. New
Age beliefs are characterized by four main elements: 1)
“mythical individual transformation ” 2) “awareness
of non-material realities ” 3) “the imposition of
doi.org/10.54208/1000/0006/002
The Social Phenomenon of Romana Didulo: “Queen of Canada”
Christine M Sarteschi, PhD, LCSW
Chatham University
Abstract: Romana Didulo is a conspiracy theorist who claims to be the ruler of Canada, despite all evidence to
the contrary. She has a fairly large following in social media. Her movement, though not easily categorized, can
best be described as a combination of QAnon, sovereign citizen/pseudo-legal, conspirituality, and anti-vaccination
motifs. This overview explores her belief system, her origins, the evolution of her movement, and the behavior of her
followers. This review finds that Didulo poses two main kinds of threats. She: 1) encourages followers to engage in
vigilantism, and 2) has created a pool of desperate people who have had their utilities shut off, and lost their vehicles
and homes. People are suffering as a result of her edicts.
Keywords: Romana Didulo, cult, conspiracy theories, QAnon, sovereign citizen, New Age, anti vaxx,
conspirituality
I. Introduction
Romana Didulo is a Philippine born immigrant, in
her 50s, who contends she is the leader of Canada. She
has adopted the titles of “Queen and Commander-in-
chief, Head of State and Government, President and
National Indigenous Chief of the Kingdom of Canada.”
Didulo and eleven of her closest followers are currently
on their third tour of Canada. They utilize multiple
recreational vehicles (RVs) (see Figure 1) and travel to
meet-and-greet locations where Didulo gives speeches,
sometimes several times a week. Didulo maintains
multiple Telegram channels and has approximately
50,000 followers who cheer her on and fund her travels.
The purpose of this article is to expand the knowledge
base of this social phenomenon using observation
and analysis of Didulo’s social media postings and the
content of her speeches. This article tracks Didulo’s
rise, describes her belief system, and documents the
activities of her and her followers.
Didulo and her followers express beliefs that combine
QAnon, sovereign citizen/pseudo-legal, conspirituality,
and anti-vaccination motifs. QAnon is a conspiracy-
based belief system. Its followers claim that high level
Democratic politicians control the government and
all media, and are harming children (Moskalenko
&McCauley, 2021). QAnon followers are highly
concerned about the “cabal,” powerful individuals who
they believe are working covertly behind the scenes
(Moskalenko &McCauley, 2021). The cabal, they
Figure 1 -One of Romana Didulo’s recreational vehicles. Note the
Manitoba licence plate.
believe, is also seeking to acquire adrenochrome from
the blood of children to extend their personal lifespans
(Garry, Walther, Mohamad, &Mohammed, 2021).
Sovereign citizens are individuals who reject their
respective governments as illegitimate, and do not
believe conventional laws apply to them they instead
are subject to a different, superior law (Kalinowski,
2019 McRoberts, 2019 Netolitzky, 2021 Sarteschi,
2020). Conspirituality is a term coined by Ward and
Voas (2011) that describes individuals who combine a
New Age belief system with conspiracy theories where
secret groups control the political and social order. New
Age beliefs are characterized by four main elements: 1)
“mythical individual transformation ” 2) “awareness
of non-material realities ” 3) “the imposition of
doi.org/10.54208/1000/0006/002
