Story by royal Correspondent,
Amid pomp and pageantry not seen in Canada for more than half a century, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the country’s Parliament today/yesterday with a powerful – and at times defiant – message for President Trump.
He also highlighted the country’s ‘unique identity’ and made clear in the strongest possible terms – within the remits of his role as a constitutional monarch, of course – of his personal pride that ‘the Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada’.
Introduced to Parliament as The King of Canada, many MPs looked visibly moved – some even broke into impromptu cries of ‘God Save The King’ – as he walked into their Senate building.
Charles had been invited by the country’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to formally open the new session of parliament in what is widely being interpreted as sign that Canadian sovereignty is not for sale.
Indeed it is only the second time a King or Queen of Canada has ever opened Parliament, the last being his late mother in 1958.
Charles and Camilla were escorted in a horse-drawn landau, escorted by flag-bearing ‘Mounties’, and met by a 100-strong Guard of Honour at Ottawa’s Senate building, along with a 21-gun salute.
In his speech – which was delivered in French and English – the King recognised indigenous peoples who once lived on the land held by the Senate, and said he hopes both indigenous and other communities can find ‘truth’ and commemorate the nation’s history together.
He also paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Second World War, as he recognised the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
In a possible message to Donald Trump, the monarch added that ‘self-determination’ was a pivotal value to the country, after the US President threatened to ‘annexe’ Canada and make it America’s ’51st state’.
The King stood for the British and Canadian national anthems and inspected the soldiers, looking deeply moved at times.
After taking his place in the chamber, the Queen on a throne by his side, the King finally read his much-anticipated ‘Speech from the Throne’, written – as it is in Britain – by the Canadian government and outlining their new legislative agenda for the coming Parliament.
However it was clear that the King had added a strong personal touch to their words.
He said: ‘This is my twentieth visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as Sovereign. As I have said before, ‘Every time I come to Canada… a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight to my heart.’
‘I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognised across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.’
He added: ‘It has been nearly seventy years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament. In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its Constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth.
‘Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation.’
Significantly, he concluded: ‘The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.
‘When my dear late mother addressed your predecessors seven decades ago, she said that in that age, and against the backdrop of international affairs, no nation could live unto itself.
‘It is a source of great pride that, in the following decades, Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good.’
To huge applause he added: ‘As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!’
The King’s 26-minute speech also included several references to ‘global trade’ and the recent Trumpian tariffs, making clear that while Canada wishes to work with the US they are also looking to strengthen bonds with other ‘reliable trading partners and allies’ worldwide.
‘The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with partners are also changing,’ Charles said, in cautious words.
‘We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.’
