OTTAWA — Seated in a brand-new throne and surrounded by dignitaries, King Charles opened Parliament Tuesday with a show of royal tradition — the first throne speech delivered by a reigning monarch in Canada in nearly half a century.
Reading from the speech — which is drafted by the federal government and lays out its policy priorities — the King proclaimed the "True North is indeed strong and free" and reaffirmed Canada's sovereignty while underscoring the "unprecedented" challenges the nation faces.
Prime Minister Mark Carney told The Canadian Press after the speech that the line citing the national anthem "rang true and shows that His Majesty understands what makes this country so great."
He said the King delivered "a strong message of a confident Canada, pride, sovereignty and a great future."
King Charles said that every time he visits, "a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream — and from there straight to my heart.”
The King and Queen departed Ottawa shortly after 1 p.m., a little more than 24 hours after they arrived.
The speech from the throne begins a new session of Parliament and is typically read by the governor general as the King's representative in Canada. The federal government uses the speech to lay out its priorities for the legislative session.
The King sat next to Queen Camilla as he read the roughly 27-minute speech. He read portions of the speech in French.
King Charles is the first monarch ever to sit in the new throne designed for the Senate of Canada chamber. The throne includes the late Queen Elizabeth II's cipher — a monogram that serves as a sovereign's personal emblem — and incorporates a piece of English walnut from Windsor Great Park, a nod to King Charles.
Prime Minister Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon were among those guiding the King and Queen through the Red Chamber and making introductions.
Also present for the speech were former prime ministers Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper — seated next to each other — and former governors general David Johnston, Michaëlle Jean and Adrienne Clarkson. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was also present, as were various provincial premiers.
The King left the Senate building after the speech to shake hands with some of the gathered onlookers before laying a wreath at the nearby Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The King and Queen then got into the back of a blue sedan to return to the airport, ending the visit.
The couple started the second day of their Canadian visit this morning by travelling in Canada's state landau past crowds of admirers in front of Parliament Hill.
The King wore a dark blue striped suit with the Order of Canada around his neck and his customary medal array. Next to him, the Queen was wearing a navy blue dress and hat.
They were joined by Simon and her husband Whit Fraser.
The landau was escorted down Wellington Street in Ottawa by mounted RCMP officers.
The King and Queen arrived shortly after 10 a.m. at the Senate building, where the King received full military honours and a 100-person honour guard from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
The ceremony included an inspection of the guard and band and a 21-gun salute.
Royal watchers gathered along the parade route shared mixed emotions ahead of the procession Tuesday.
Beth MacDonald, a royalist who attended King Charles' coronation two years ago, said she makes a point of attending every royal event she can. This one has added significance, she said, because it's happening more than a year after the King announced his cancer diagnosis.
“This is going to be, I’ll almost say, bittersweet, because I know it’s probably his last visit over here," she said.
King Charles said during the speech that he has now visited Canada 20 times. This is his first trip to Canada since his coronation.
The King is the first reigning British monarch to read the speech from the throne in Ottawa since his mother Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech in 1977.
David Greenberg, who was among the crowds lining the parade route, also attended the parade for the previous monarch's throne speech. He said he was watching history happen.
“It doesn’t happen very often. It may not happen again," he said.
The royal visit is happening at a critical moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly calls for Canada's annexation and attempts to overturn the rules of global trade with tariffs.
“I think in the long run it’ll do good for Canadians to remember we’re Canadians, and not the 51st state," MacDonald said. "Maybe this visit and him doing the throne speech will remind Canadians of that.”
Elizabeth Armstrong, another of the royal watchers in the crowd Tuesday morning, called the event a "strong but quiet statement from His Majesty."
The royal couple arrived in Ottawa Monday afternoon. They spent time at a local farmers market and held private audiences with Carney and Simon.
— with files from Nick Murray and Sarah Ritchie
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
