King Charles will visit Canada, deliver throne speech to open Parliament
King Charles is set to make a historic visit to Canada later this month, where he will deliver the speech from the throne on May 27. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who described the visit as a “historic honour” that matches the weight of the current times. Queen Camilla will also be joining the King on this visit.
The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, confirmed the royal visit on May 26 and 27, stating that she and her husband, Whit, will be delighted to welcome Their Majesties to Canada. She emphasized the importance of the enduring relationship between Canada and the Crown, highlighting the shared global values of democracy, equality, and peace.
The opening of Parliament by King Charles is a significant event, as it sets the government’s expected direction and goals for the upcoming session. The decision for the King to open Parliament underscores his dedication to the role of King of Canada, according to royal author and historian Carolyn Harris.
The timing of the visit is seen as a response to recent tensions between Canada and the United States, particularly in light of President Trump’s remarks about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state. Prime Minister Carney’s anti-Trump platform and commitment to Canada’s sovereignty likely influenced the decision to have King Charles open Parliament.
Charles has recently made statements referencing his role as “King of Canada” in international settings, further emphasizing the unique political and national identity of Canada. The upcoming visit will provide an ideal opportunity for King Charles to engage in official duties as the monarch of Canada.
The detailed itinerary for the royal visit will be published by the Department of Canadian Heritage at a later date. While it will be a short visit, lasting two days, it follows precedent set by previous royal visits. Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament during her first visit to Canada as reigning monarch in 1957, and the last time the speech from the throne was read by Canada’s head of state was in 1977.
This visit will mark King Charles’s 20th visit to Canada and Queen Camilla’s fifth. Their last visit was in May 2022 when Charles was still the Prince of Wales. The significance of this visit and the symbolism of King Charles opening Parliament underscore the strong ties between Canada and the Crown.
