Strong and Free: King Charles III Champions Canada’s Spirit in Ottawa
On May 27, 2025, King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, made a historic visit to Ottawa, Canada, marking his first trip to the country as monarch and delivering a significant Speech from the Throne to open the 45th session of the Canadian Parliament. This rare address, the first by a British monarch in nearly 50 years, underscored Canada’s sovereignty and resilience amid heightened tensions with the United States. The whirlwind 23-hour visit, filled with ceremonial splendor and symbolic gestures, resonated deeply with Canadians and reaffirmed the enduring bond between the Crown and Canada.
Courtesy of the the Royal Family Channel on You Tube
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on May 26, 2025, greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Governor General Mary Simon, and a warm crowd of well-wishers. The royal couple’s visit, their 20th to Canada but their first since Charles ascended the throne, was seen as a powerful statement of support for Canada’s sovereignty, particularly in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s provocative remarks about annexing Canada as the “51st state” and imposing trade tariffs.
The visit began with a community engagement at a local farmers’ market and the planting of a blue beech tree at Rideau Hall, symbolizing the deep-rooted connection between Canada and the monarchy. The following day, thousands lined Wellington Street to witness the King and Queen’s ceremonial procession in a horse-drawn landau, escorted by 28 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and a 100-person guard of honor, complete with a 21-gun salute. The enthusiastic crowds, waving flags and chanting “God Save the King” and “Vivre le Roi,” reflected a palpable sense of national pride and unity.
The centerpiece of the visit was King Charles III’s Speech from the Throne, delivered in the Senate chamber on May 27, 2025. This marked only the third time a British monarch has personally opened Canada’s Parliament, following Queen Elizabeth II’s addresses in 1957 and 1977. The 26-minute speech, delivered in both English and French, was written by the Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney but included personal remarks from the King, who expressed his “deep pride and pleasure” in Canada’s unique identity and its role as a “force for good” in the world.
The speech outlined the Liberal government’s legislative agenda, emphasizing economic transformation, unity, and partnerships with “reliable trading allies.” It received a standing ovation from parliamentarians, Indigenous leaders, and dignitaries, with some MPs visibly moved and spontaneously calling out “God Save the King.” The King’s emotional delivery, with his voice cracking in the final paragraph, underscored the personal significance of the moment, particularly given his ongoing cancer treatment.
The visit was rich with symbolic acts reinforcing Canada’s sovereignty and connection to the monarchy. After the speech, King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, honoring Canada’s military personnel and veterans. The couple also engaged in a brief walkabout, warmly greeting enthusiastic crowds in Ottawa’s summer sunshine.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who invited the King to open Parliament, described the visit as a clear affirmation of Canada’s sovereignty. Governor General Mary Simon echoed this sentiment, highlighting the “enduring relationship between Canada and the Crown” and the shared values of democracy, equality, and peace. Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, was overwhelmingly positive, with Canadians like Susan Guiry expressing delight at seeing the King, describing the experience as “tickled pink.” However, not all voices were supportive, with some parliamentarians questioning the monarchy’s relevance, though the visit’s historic nature overshadowed such debates.
While King Charles avoided directly naming President Trump, the timing and tone of his speech were widely interpreted as a diplomatic counter to U.S. pressures. Aides to the King described the address as “thought-provoking, but not provocative,” aiming to affirm Canada’s independence without escalating tensions. Royal watchers noted the visit’s significance as a soft power move, with the monarchy reinforcing Canada’s distinct identity and history. The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, acknowledged the “implication” of the visit, though he suggested Trump had moved on from annexation rhetoric—a claim undermined by Trump’s renewed comments on the subject shortly after the royal departure.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla departed Ottawa on May 27, 2025, after a visit lasting less than 24 hours, they left behind a powerful message of solidarity. The King’s address, coupled with the ceremonial grandeur and public enthusiasm, marked a historic moment for both Canada and the monarchy. For Canadians, it was a reminder of their nation’s strength and sovereignty; for King Charles, it was a deeply personal affirmation of his role as Canada’s head of state, despite his ongoing health challenges.
The visit, as one X post framed it, cast King Charles as a “superhero” defending Canada against external pressures, a narrative that resonated with many who saw the monarchy as a stabilizing force in uncertain times. As Buckingham Palace reflects on the success of this historic trip, it stands as a testament to the enduring ties between the Crown and Canada, a nation that remains, in the King’s words, “strong and free.”
