King Charles III is set to deliver a rare address in Canada at the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney—an event drawing global attention not just for its constitutional peculiarity, but for its underlying political message.
His historic visit to open Canada’s parliament and delivering a rare speech is widely seen as a subtle pushback against US President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting that Canada could be “annexed” as the 51st state.
Why this is unusual?
While King Charles III remains Canada’s head of state as part of the constitutional monarchy, his role is strictly symbolic and apolitical. Royal speeches in Canada are traditionally ceremonial, delivered during national events or state visits. For a sitting monarch to address the country at the request of the Prime Minister, in a charged political context, is extremely rare and signifies a deeper strategic intent.
It has been nearly half a century since a reigning British monarch last addressed Canada’s Parliament. Queen Elizabeth II, the late mother of King Charles III, spoke before Canadian lawmakers only twice during her long reign, with the most recent occasion being in 1977.
What to expect from the speech?
Charles, making his first visit to Canada since his coronation, has never commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state.
But he will be closely watched for any comments on Canada's sovereignty, as well as on trade.
Although King Charles visited Canada nearly two dozen times during his years as Prince of Wales, he has yet to make an official trip as monarch. Despite this, he has continued to show visible support for Canada. During a recent visit to a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, he prominently wore Canadian military medals on his chest – a gesture highlighting his longstanding connection to the country and its armed forces.
Trump has slapped tariffs on Canadian goods including sector-specific levies on autos, steel and aluminum, rattling the Canadian economy -- though he has suspended some of them pending negotiations.
Queen Camilla will accompany Charles on the 24-hour visit to Ottawa.
'Easier ways to send messages'
Carney has said his newly-elected government has been given a mandate "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States," a neighbor he believes Canada "can no longer trust."
He has promised to curb reliance on trade with the United States by boosting internal commerce while forging deeper economic ties with allies overseas.
The government's path to "build Canada strong" will be outlined in Charles's speech, Carney said last week.
A government statement described the visit as "a momentous and historic occasion that underscores Canada's identity and sovereignty as a constitutional monarchy."
Trump repeatedly returned to his annexation musings during Carney's Oval Office visit earlier this month, insisting it would be a "wonderful marriage".
Carney stood his ground, saying Canada was "never for sale."
Trump's envoy to Canada, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, dismissed the notion that inviting Charles to open parliament was an effective way to make a statement on annexation.
"If there's a message in there, there's easier ways to send messages. Just give me a call. Carney can call the president at any time," he told the public broadcaster CBC last week.
Hoekstra added that he sees the annexation issue as being "over."
"Move on. If the Canadians want to keep talking about it -- that's their business."
'Entire world watching'
Charles and Camilla are scheduled to land in Ottawa on Monday afternoon.
They'll be received by Governor General Mary Simon, Carney, Indigenous leaders and other dignitaries before meeting community organizations in Ottawa.
Charles also holds an audience with Carney on Monday.
At the Senate on Tuesday, the monarch will receive full military honors before delivering the throne speech.
Canadian royal commentator Edward Wang told AFP he was traveling from his home in the west coast city of Vancouver to Ottawa for the visit.
"At a time when the sovereignty of our country is being challenged, having our head of state open the first session of a new Parliament sends a signal," he said.
"The entire world will be watching."
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