King’s visit to deliver throne speech will unleash 2 days of pomp and ceremony in Ottawa
When King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom make their highly anticipated visit to Canada later this month, it will be a grand affair filled with pomp and ceremony. The monarch’s reading of the speech from the throne will kick off two days of festivities in the capital city of Ottawa.
This historic visit will mark the third time a British monarch has read the speech from the throne in Canada, with Queen Elizabeth II having done so in 1957 and 1977. Upon their arrival at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on May 26, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be warmly welcomed by Governor General Mary Simon, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and other dignitaries.
The royal couple will be greeted by an honour guard of 25 Royal Canadian Dragoons, a regiment of which King Charles is the colonel-in-chief. The Canadian Armed Forces band will also be present to provide musical accompaniment. This visit will be King Charles’s 20th trip to Canada and Queen Camilla’s sixth, but it will be their first visit as the reigning King and Queen.
Following their arrival, the King and Queen will head to Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, where they will interact with members of the community and engage with the public. The park will be abuzz with vendors, local artisans, music, and dance performances, creating a festive atmosphere. King Charles will even participate in a ceremonial puck drop to kick off a street hockey demonstration.
Next on the agenda, the royal couple will proceed to Rideau Hall for a ceremonial tree planting on the grounds of the Governor General’s official residence. Queen Camilla will then be sworn in as a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, allowing her to provide formal advice to King Charles in his role as the monarch of Canada.
On May 27, King Charles will fulfill his royal duties by opening the new session of Parliament with the traditional speech from the throne in the Senate. This document outlines the government’s objectives and plans for the upcoming session. The royal couple will travel to the Senate in Canada’s State Landau, accompanied by a grand procession of horses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride.
At the Senate, King Charles will receive full military honours, including a guard of honour, an inspection of the guard and band, and a 21-gun salute. The King will then deliver the speech from the throne, officially marking the opening of the 45th Parliament of Canada. Following the ceremony, the royal couple will pay their respects at the National War Memorial before departing Ottawa with a Royal Canadian Air Force flypast.
Earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Canada House in London to commemorate the diplomatic mission’s 100th anniversary. This visit to Canada House set the stage for their upcoming trip to Canada and highlighted the strong ties between the United Kingdom and Canada.
The royal visit promises to be a momentous occasion filled with tradition, ceremony, and community engagement, showcasing the enduring bond between the United Kingdom and Canada.
