On Tuesday, May 27, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will receive full honors in Canada's federal capital, Ottawa. There will be a military parade, cannon salutes and a carriage escorted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, placing the symbols and legacy of the British crown front and center. This carefully orchestrated protocol is a reminder that Canada, a constitutional monarchy and member of the Commonwealth, still has the King of the United Kingdom as its official head of state.
Arriving in Canada on Monday, the British king planted an American hornbeam tree, a symbol of friendship between nations, and met privately with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simons, who officially represents the king in Canada. On Tuesday, Charles III is scheduled to deliver the Speech from the Throne before Canadian lawmakers, officially launching the 45th Parliament, which was renewed on April 28. The King follows in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who did so in 1957 and 1977. This marks only the third time in history that a king has performed this ceremony on Canadian soil. The speech, outlining the government's agenda, is usually read by the governor general, who holds the honorary and ceremonial position as the Crown's representative in Canada.
"This historic honor matches the weight of our times," said Carney on Monday, who initiated the royal visit. The former governor of the Bank of England, who once held British citizenship before renouncing it, wanted to mark the start of his term with a strong signal: to assert Canada's sovereignty by highlighting its historical roots as a defense against Donald Trump.
Sending a strong message
"Canada's strength lies in building a strong future while embracing its English, French, and Indigenous roots – the union of peoples that forms our bedrock," the prime minister added. By leveraging the monarchy's influence and moral authority, Carney hoped to send a strong message to the president of the United States, who has repeatedly threatened to make Canada the 51st American state. "The fact that the head of state comes to deliver the Speech from the Throne shows that Canada is sovereign and we are not for sale," said Estelle Bouthillier, a monarchy specialist.
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