2025 royal tour of Canada

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2025 royal tour of Canada
Royal Cypher of King Charles III (Canada).svg
Mark Carney & Charles III in the Senate Chamber, 2025.jpg
DateMay 26, 2025 (2025-05-26)–May 27, 2025 (2025-05-27)
Venue Ottawa, Ontario
LocationFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Type Royal visit
Organized by Government of Canada
Participants King Charles III
Queen Camilla

The 2025 royal tour of Canada occurred on May 26 and 27, 2025, and was the first visit to the country by Charles III as King of Canada. Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the King opened the 45th Canadian Parliament and delivered the Speech from the Throne, his first as King of Canada, and the first for any Canadian monarch since 1977. [1]

Contents

The visit was intended as an affirmation of the country's sovereignty in the face of the United States trade war with Canada and threats by US President Donald Trump to annex Canada. [2]

The visit was the twentieth official visit by Charles to Canada, and his first since becoming King in 2022. [3]

Background

Beginning in late 2024, after his election as president, Donald Trump began musing about annexing Canada, calling it the "51st state" and referring to then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "Governor of Canada". He also spoke about using "economic force" [4] to compel Canada to join the US, and soon after imposed punishing tariffs [5] on Canadian exports, under the guise of national security. This led to an increase in Canadian patriotism, [6] [7] and calls for the King to express support for Canada due to Trump's admiration for the British monarchy. [8] The King was subsequently seen to be more active in Canadian affairs, meeting two prime ministers in short order, publicly presenting a sword to the Usher of the Black Rod, and wearing more red than usual. [9]

Tour

King Charles III after the ceremonial planting of a blue beech tree at Rideau Hall on May 26, 2025. King Charles III with dignitaries at Rideau Hall, 2025.jpg
King Charles III after the ceremonial planting of a blue beech tree at Rideau Hall on May 26, 2025.

May 26

In the morning, King and Queen departed RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, aboard a CC-330 Husky aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force with the callsign 'ROYL 01'. The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, issued a statement welcoming them, which ended with "Welcome home, Your Majesties." [10] [11] The King and Queen landed at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, Ottawa where they were greeted by a guard of honour of Royal Canadian Dragoons as well members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in ceremonial dress; the governor general; Prime Minister Mark Carney; Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Edith Dumont; and Indigenous leaders. [10] [12] The King and Queen travelled by motorcade to Lansdowne Park [13] and toured a nearby farmers' market, before taking part in the ceremonial puck drop at a youth hockey game. [10] [13]

The King and Queen then travelled to Rideau Hall, where the King planted a blue beech tree. [14] They greeted representatives from the King's Trust Canada, a charitable organization founded by the King. The watching crowd sang "God Save the King" and "O Canada". [15] [12] The King then greeted the ten provincial lieutenant governors. [12] While at Rideau Hall, the King held audiences with the governor general, the prime minister and Indigenous leaders. Later, the Queen was sworn into the Privy Council for Canada. [16]

May 27

The King and Queen departed Rideau Hall in the morning, travelling in the State Landau of Canada, and escorted by the RCMP on horseback. [17] Upon arriving at the Senate of Canada Building, the King was greeted by a guard of honour of the Royal Canadian Regiment and received full military honours, including a 21-gun salute and the playing of the royal anthem and national anthem. Whilst inspecting the honour guard, cheers of "God Save the King" were heard from the crowd. [18] Accompanied by the Governor General and Prime Minister, the King and Queen watched a First Nations drum performance after entering the Senate building. [19]

The King delivering the speech from the throne sitting on the Throne of Canada in the senate chamber

The King and Queen then processed into the chamber of the Senate of Canada, and took their seats on the Thrones of Canada. Officially starting the new session of the Canadian Parliament, the King began his speech with an Indigenous land acknowledgement, referencing the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people, and delivered parts of the speech in French. [1] He received an unusual standing ovation from the chamber after stating "The True North is indeed strong and free." This broke with tradition, as protocol dictates that members of parliament should refrain from reacting during addresses by the monarch or the Governor General. [20] [21]

I wish to express to you and to the people of Canada, my heartfelt gratitude, and that of my wife, for the warmth of the welcome which we have received.
As the anthem reminds us, The True North is indeed strong and free!

Charles III, King of Canada,
Speech from the Throne [22]

The King and Queen, accompanied by the Prime Minister, greeted crowds outside the senate building. [23] [24] [25]

The King and Queen then moved to the National War Memorial and paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, laying a wreath and greeting veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. [26] The ceremony ended with the King and Queen receiving a final farewell royal salute of "O Canada" from the Royal Canadian Air Force Band and a flyover by RCAF fighter jets. [27] The King and Queen then said goodbye to officials gathered, and waved to the crowds before departing for the airport. The King thanked the police, military and civil authorities who had helped the trip, before boarding 'ROYL01' and departing Canada. [28]

To mark the visit, the Government of Canada donated $50,000 to the King's Trust on behalf of all Canadians, reflecting its commitment to youth and inclusion. [29]

The government's invitation to the King to read the Throne Speech was criticized by the Bloc Québécois which referred to Charles as a "foreign monarch" and called the move "disrespectful" of the Québécois people. The Bloc protested the invitation by boycotting the throne speech and announcing that they will table a private member's bill to end the requirement for MPs to pledge loyalty to the monarch. [30]

Commentary

Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert and lecturer in law at Royal Holloway, University of London, called the visit a historic moment for Canada and King Charles. He also said that Charles demonstrated a modern monarch and his throne speech was “an example of him delivering a sharper speech than Elizabeth II would.” [31]

Andrew Cohen, author of The Unfinished Canadian: The People We Are criticized the invitation to Charles in the Globe and Mail, saying that while it was done to make a point, "there is much more to do than score symbolic points to make Canada truly sovereign" including diversifying trade and strengthening the military but also declaring constitutional independence from the United Kingdom by detatching Canada from the monarchy. He also criticized Charles for not having said something "definitive" earlier in the year in response to Trump's rhetoric. [32]

Historian Philip Murphy of the University of London told The Sunday Times that “The Canadians’ game plan will be to have their constitutional cake and eat it by exploiting the ambiguities of the constitutional position of monarch. They’ll be keen to stress that Charles is not just King of Canada but King of the United Kingdom, and seen throughout the world as such, so by having him there they can stress that the U.K. is on Canada’s side in any trade confrontation with the U.S.," amid reports that the British government was uncomfortable with the Canadian government's utilization of Charles in its conflict with the United States. [33]

Vinay Menon, wrote in the Toronto Star that the King's throne speech was his way of playing Canada’s superhero against Donald Trump, showing that Canada “is not alone”. [34]

Andrew Coyne, a columnist for the Globe and Mail , wrote that the symbolism of the King's speech in parliament is that the crown is the “foundation of our legal system and government”. [35]

Afua Hagan, a commentator on royalty for CTV News, wrote that the king and queen’s visit was probably "one of the most consequential royal visits in recent memory”. The visit also revealed “the monarchy's enduring role in Canada—not only as a symbolic institution, but as a subtle practitioner of soft power on the global stage". [36]

Jen Gerson, a Canadian commentator for The Guardian , noted that King Charles is a symbol of Canadian history and system of government, distinct from "the flailing republicanism of the US". [37]

References

  1. 1 2 "Read the full throne speech delivered by King Charles". CBC. May 27, 2025.
  2. "King's visit to Canada will help counter Trump's threats, says envoy". The Guardian . May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  3. "Speech from the Throne". Privy Council Office, Canada. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  4. "Provocative Trump statements about Canada loom large as Trudeau meets King". BBC News. March 3, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  5. "After Trump declares a trade war, Canadians grapple with a sense of betrayal". AP News. February 3, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  6. Dieleman, Susan (March 18, 2025). "Canadians are more patriotic than ever amid Trump's trade war — but it's important not to take national pride too far". The Conversation. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  7. "Patriotism surges in Quebec before election as Trump rattles Canada". BBC News. April 24, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  8. "Trudeau to talk with King Charles on defending Canada 'sovereignty'". Voice of America. March 2, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  9. Lourenco, Denio (April 5, 2025). "King Charles showing subtle signs of support for Canada amid trade war". CityNews Halifax. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Court Circular". Royal Household. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  11. "Statement from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada to Welcome Their Majesties to Canada". The Governor General of Canada. May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "King Charles and Queen Camilla touch down in Ottawa for royal tour". CBC News. May 26, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Pringle, Josh (May 26, 2025). "Royal visit: Live updates on the visit to Ottawa by King Charles and Queen Camilla". CTVNews. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  14. "King Charles, Queen Camilla plant blue beech tree at Rideau Hall, Ottawa". CBC News .
  15. 2025 Royal Visit – Ceremonial Tree Planting at Rideau Hall. CPAC. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  16. "RECAP: King Charles, Queen Camilla greeted by sun and warm crowds in Ottawa on 1st day of royal tour". CBC News. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  17. "King Charles and Queen Camilla parade to Parliament". CBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  18. "King Charles opens Parliament with throne speech hailing 'incredible opportunity' for Canada's renewal". Radio-Canada.ca (in Canadian French). May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  19. "RECAP King Charles, Queen Camilla wrap whirlwind visit, after War Memorial wreath laying, throne speech". CBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  20. CBC News (May 27, 2025). King Charles highlights Liberal government priorities during throne speech . Retrieved May 27, 2025 via YouTube.
  21. "Former PM Jean Chretien misses King Charles' speech from the throne due to minor heart surgery". CTV News . May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  22. "Building Canada Strong: A bold, ambitious plan for our future". Privy Council Office, Canada. May 27, 2025.
  23. "King Charles hails 'incredible opportunity' for Canada in throne speech". CBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  24. "King Charles's throne speech, deconstructed: What it meant for Canada | National Post".
  25. "King Charles delivers the throne speech today. Here's what you need to know". May 27, 2025.
  26. King Charles III lays wreath at Canada's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. AFP News Agency. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025 via YouTube.
  27. CBC News (May 27, 2025). LIVE: King Charles delivers throne speech, opening Parliament | CBC News . Retrieved May 27, 2025 via YouTube.
  28. "King Charles's Throne Speech to Canada's Parliament - follow live". BBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  29. "The Crown in Canada". X . Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  30. "Bloc Québécois slam Carney for inviting 'foreign' King to open Parliament, opt out of attending Throne Speech". The Hill Times. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  31. "Royal visit a 'historic moment' for Canada and King Charles". CBC News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  32. Cohen, Andrew (May 28, 2025). "King Charles's visit to Canada was a show of weakness, not strength". Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  33. "Ministers urge Carney not to drag Charles into Trump wars on Canada visit". The Sunday Times. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  34. "How King Charles played the role of Canada's superhero against supervillain Donald Trump". Toronto Star. May 27, 2025.
  35. "This was the moment Charles became King of Canada, and Canada his kingdom". The Globe and Mail. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  36. "Afua Hagan: King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Canada a masterclass in 'soft power'". CTV news. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  37. "Canadians are happy to cling to King Charles – as long as he keeps us safe from Trump". The Guardian. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.