Ottawa, Ontario – Charles III arrived in Ottawa on Monday, a visit highlighting his sovereignty over Canadian President Donald Trump.
Trump's repeated proposal that US Northern neighbors urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to invite Charles to invite a speech from the throne outlining the agenda for his government's new Congress.
The king is a Canadian head of state and a member of the former British colony.
Carney and the first indigenous governor of Canada, Mary Simon, representative of the king of Canada, greet King Camilla and Queen, and greet 25 Royal Canadian dragoons.
The existence of Charles and Camila “retains a deep significance at this pivotal moment in our history,” Simon said in a statement Monday. “It reaffirms the enduring constitutional ties that have shaped Canada's pride and its journey to an independent country.”
“Their visit invites us to reflect on who we are and celebrate our clear national identity,” she added.
In a statement, Carney said the visit spoke to “the vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our clear identity.”
It is rare for a monarch to deliver what is called a speech from the throne of Canada. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did it twice in her 70-year reign in the last period of 1977.
While Canadians are mostly indifferent to the monarchy, Carney was keen to show the difference between Canada and the United States. He said the king's visit clearly emphasizes Canada's sovereignty.
After America became independent from Britain, Canada remained a colony until 1867, and then continued as a constitutional monarchy under the British-style parliamentary system.
“We're different,” said former Quebec Prime Minister Jean Challest. “If we'd see why King Charles reads speeches from the throne, we have to acknowledge the Canadian story.”
But Pete Hextra, the new US ambassador to Canada, says there's no need to send a message, telling Canadians that they should move on from the 51st province's talk and that there are easy ways to call him or the president if the message is sent.
Royal historian Carolyn Harris hopes Trump will notice his visit as he has repeatedly spoken about his admiration for the royal family. Trump may see how Canada differs from the US
“It's a very distinctive history, dating back to the waves of Loyalists who settled here after the American Revolution,” Harris said. “And I'm going to see the king in a Canadian context escorted by the royal Canadian police surrounded by Canadian symbolism. This is King Charles III in his role as King of Canada.”
The speech on Tuesday was not written by the king or his British advisers to serve Charles as a nonpartisan head of state. He reads what was placed before him by the Canadian government.
“Charles can only act on consent and the advice of his prime minister. But at the same time, he cannot act in the way of throwing the other 14 federal realms under the bus. So walking is the best tightrope walk.”
Canadians were not satisfied when British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer extended his invitation to Trump on behalf of the king at a time when Trump threatened Canadian sovereignty.
“Given the circumstances, they weren't impressed by the gesture,” Carney told Sky News in the UK. “That was when we were very clear… on issues of sovereignty.”
The King has recently shown support for Canada, including displaying Canadian military medals on his chest when he visited a British aircraft carrier.
After he arrives, Charles drops a ceremonial first puck or ball during a street hockey game. He also attends community events and meets with Kearney. Camilla also attends the oath ceremony and becomes a Canadian Privy Councillor.
The king will return to the UK after a speech on Tuesday and a visit to the Canadian National War Memorial.