King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Canada later, for a two-day visit seen as bringing a message of support for the country in the face of threats and taunts from US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who secured victory in a recent general election fueled by opposition to Trump, extended an invitation to the royal pair and plans to meet with them during their visit to Ottawa.
On Tuesday, the King will present the “Speech from the Throne” to Canada’s Parliament, marking the first occasion in nearly half a century where a sovereign has done so.
It is anticipated that this will involve defending Canada’s sovereignty and rejecting assertions that it should come under U.S. control.
A ceremonial reception will take place at the Ottawa airport on Monday, followed by meetings with various community organizations, anticipated to feature delegates from Canada’s Indigenous First Nations.
The king is set to meet Canada’s first Indigenous governor general, Mary Simon.
This marks the first time the King and Queen have visited Canada since ascending to the throne. Their scheduled trip last year had to be canceled due to the King’s cancer diagnosis.
By delivering the Speech from the Throne, the King is treading in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who performed this duty twice during her lengthy reign in 1957 and 1977.
However, the scheduling of this week’s visit is viewed as a show of support for Canada amid suggestions from Trump that the nation should join the United States as its 51st state.
The US threat has inflamed public opinion with some businesses in Ottawa, as elsewhere in Canada, putting on displays of national identity such as “Proudly Canadian” posters.
When Carney visited Trump at the White House earlier this month, he emphasized that Canada remains “off-market.” This sentiment is expected to be reflected in the upcoming King’s Speech, which is crafted with guidance from Canadian officials.
Jeremy Kinsman, the former Canadian high commissioner to the UK, stated that the King will likely be glad to convey this message.
“It will strongly affirm Canadian sovereignty. Personally, I believe this is something King Charles will joyfully endorse. There’s no question about it,” stated Mr. Kinsman, who previously served as a diplomat alongside the King when he was known as the Prince of Wales.
The address, which will be presented in both French and English, aims to outline the Canadian government’s policy priorities much like how the Queen’s Speech is articulated during the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster.
However, it is anticipated that the document will include statements affirming Canada’s autonomy as both a Commonwealth nation and a NATO ally.
Prior to the King’s visit and the State Opening, Carney stated, “This significant honor reflects the gravity of our current era.”
Regarding the ceremony, the King is anticipated to don a suit for an event that will have a lower profile compared to the grandeur of crowns and ornate robes seen during the United Kingdom’s State Opening of Parliament.
In addition to the address in Parliament, this short visit will also feature community events in Ottawa and an opportunity to engage with local leaders.
The upcoming royal trip will require deft diplomacy. As the monarch of both Canada and the United Kingdom, the King has played a key role in fostering strong ties with the U.S., even personally writing to President Trump to extend an invitation for another state visit.
In Canada, his mandate will involve conveying a markedly different narrative, as the Canadian administration has dismissed Trump’s aspiration to annex the nation.
Before the visit, a royal insider stated: “The King possesses extensive experience and remarkable ability when navigating the delicate balancing act of diplomacy.”
He enjoys widespread respect globally and among various political factions, maintaining positive ties with international leaders who recognize his distinctive role.
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