A piece of Canadian wartime history discovered in France has found its way back home after European Parliament President Roberta Metsola presented it to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.The unusual gift is a Canadian MK II steel combat helmet dating back to the 1940s, which was discovered in France in May 2025.Metsola said the helmet is believed to be connected to Operation Totalise, the Allied offensive led by the First Canadian Army in Normandy during World War II. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)The operation formed part of the campaign to liberate Europe following the Normandy landings and saw hundreds of Canadian soldiers lose their lives.“We thought it would be great to give it to you, so you can take it home,” Metsola told Carney as she presented him with the helmet.The Canadian Prime Minister appeared visibly touched by the gesture, describing the artefact as a reminder of “one of the fiercest battles from the Normandy landing.”And the historic helmet has already got a new home lined up.Carney said it will be placed in the Canadian War Museum, allowing the piece to be preserved and displayed back in the country whose soldiers once wore helmets like it on the battlefields of Europe.But Carney didn’t arrive empty-handed either.The Canadian PM returned the gesture by presenting Metsola with something considerably sweeter: a bottle of traditional Canadian maple syrup from his own supply.He explained that the particular syrup was a traditional variety which could also be used for cooking.From a WWII battlefield relic heading back to Canada to a bottle of maple syrup making its way in the opposite direction, it certainly wasn’t your average diplomatic gift exchange.What do you make of this?Video credits to @roberta.metsola •