King Charles has delivered a historic speech at the state opening of parliament in Canada amid the country receiving unwanted attention from Donald Trump, who has launched a trade war against his neighbour and made threats to annex the country as America’s 51st state
The King has delivered a warning shot to US President Donald Trump after his verbal attacks on Canada, saying the country is “strong and free”. During a historic address for the opening of parliament at the Senate in the capital Ottawa, he appealed for calm in light of Canadians “feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them”.
The King’s visit to Canada, one of the 14 realms where he is head of state, comes in the wake of prolonged aggression from Trump who, amid a global trade war, has claimed the country should become the 51st state of America. Canadians reacted with horror over the outlandish suggestion, with new prime minister Mark Carney insisting during a tense meeting in the Oval Office that his country would “never ever” be for sale.
Speaking today from a throne carved from a Canadian black walnut tree and donated English walnut from a forest behind Windsor Castle, the monarch said Canada faced a “critical moment” in its history. He also received a rapturous applause from those gathered after he delivered the line “strong and true”.
He said: “Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect.” In a 25 minute speech delivered in both English and French, Charles spoke of his “greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity”.
In front of senior politicians, including recently elected prime minister Mark Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau, indigenous leaders and MPs, Charles also referenced the unity of the monarchy and Canada as its sovereignty is under threat. He said: “Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect.”
Before their whistle stop visit, lasting just 24 hours over two days, the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK Ralph Goodale had said the royal visit would “reinforce the power and the strength of the message” to Trump that Canada cannot be bought.
With many locals wondering how the King would navigate the war of words from Trump, Charles referenced the ever changing world amid such populist politics. He added: “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.
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling. Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity. An opportunity for renewal. An opportunity to think big and to act bigger.
“A confident Canada,which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognising that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”
Charles’ attendance at the ceremony alongside Queen Camilla had been largely welcomed by the country following the invitation from Mr Carney after his election earlier this month. Palace sources said the King and Queen’s visit was a clear sign of “soft power in action”.
The event marked just the third time in history that the monarch has attended the opening of parliament, since Queen Elizabeth II first delivered the address in 1957.
Recognising the “shared history as a nation” with Canada’s indigenous communities, Charles also heralded Canadians for their “bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values”.
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 recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”
Charles added: “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.”
Quoting the national anthem, he said: “As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!”. At the end of the senate address, Charles and Camilla made their way by foot to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to lay a wreath in memory of Canada’s war heroes.
The King and Queen arrived at the Parliament after processing through the Canadian capital in a carriage. Charles and Camilla’s horse-drawn landau was led by 14 mounted riders with 14 more behind as they travelled with Canada’s first indigenous Governor General Mary Simon and husband Whit Grant Fraser.
A deafening 21-gun salute rang out across the capital as enthusiastic well-wishers shouted “we love you King Charles”. The King inspected the troops formed in two lines outside the Senate and Charles walked pass the first row and then the second before entering the building for the ceremony to begin.
The King and Queen are only in the country for around 24 hours before heading back to the UK and a Buckingham Palace spokesperson commenting about the trip has said: “The King and Queen are very much looking forward to the programme, mindful that it is a short visit but hopefully an impactful one.”
Before the King delievered the speech today, Canada’s Prime Minister said it would “outline the government’s ambitious plan to act with urgency and determination, and to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve: to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe”.
The Canadian leader also praised the “historic ties” between his nation and the UK “that crises only fortify” ahead of the King and Queen’s welcome to Ottawa on Monday.
During the first day of their two-day visit to Canada, Charles and Camilla experienced all aspects of Canadian life from street hockey to a greeting from indigenous people, a trip widely seen as a show of support for the country in the face of challenges from the US leader.