Live updates: King Charles delivering throne speech

Toronto Star

27-05-2025

King Charles III will read the Speech from the Throne this morning in a display of sovereignty by Mark Carney's Liberals amid threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Follow the live coverage from the Star's Ottawa bureau here.
In the Senate chamber, King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne to open the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada. The speech outlines the direction and legislative priorities of Prime Minister Mark Carney's government.
What to know:
His Majesty is expected to deliver the Throne Speech, a preview of the new Liberal government's agenda, around 11 a.m. ET
The King and Queen will later visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay their respects
The royal couple was greeted yesterday by pomp and pageantry on the first day of a brief visit
Updated 3 mins ago
Does King Charles speak French?
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
Does King Charles speak French?
The King has been switching between English and French throughout his speech.
He speaks the language, according to the BBC, as well as German and Welsh. His mother, Queen Elizabeth, was fluent in French and was seen as having an affection for France and its language.
According to the London-based Times newspaper, Charles learned French at Gordonstoun, the Scottish boarding school he attended, and made 34 official visits to France as prince. When he visited in 2023, locals were impressed by his command of the language, although it was tinged with a British accent.
Updated 4 mins ago
Canada 'a force of good'
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
The King's reading of the Throne Speech ends on a flourish, and another profound declaration of Canadian sovereignty, when he praised Canada for — in the 70 years since Queen Elizabeth first delivered such an address — setting an example 'to the world' of a nation that conducts itself 'as a force for good.' As the King thanks Canadians for the welcome, he nails it. 'As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!'
Updated 5 mins ago
Carney government has pledged to balance budget
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
The sixth and final section of the speech that the King is reading now looks at Carney's pledge to balance the government's operational budget over three years. During the campaign, the Liberal platform said the government would reduce spending by $28 billion, without cutting transfers to provinces or individuals.
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Updated 6 mins ago
Throne Speech is a roadmap for government
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
If all of this sounds familiar, it should. The Throne Speech is a roadmap for government legislation and regulations to come, and as far as we can see it mirrors the election campaign promises that Carney highlighted through the 37-day election campaign. It's also a bit of a to-do list for the next several months, setting out deadlines and numbers, along with the more abstract commitments to principles, like support for 'clean and conventional' energy; a promise to be 'guided' by the principle of obtaining 'free, informed and prior consent' of Indigenous peoples in development projects, and its commitment to uphold French language, culture and priorities of Quebec's like supply managed agriculture sectors.
Updated 6 mins ago
Wreath laying ceremony next on King's agenda
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
Preparations at National War Memorial.
Raisa Patel
Outside the National War Memorial, preparations for a wreath laying ceremony are underway. The military honour guard has just arrived.
Updated 9 mins ago
Building a 'united Canada'
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
The fifth section, which the King is delivering now, talks of building a 'united Canada' and includes a bit of a grab bag of commitments. It talks of protecting French and Indigenous languages, and institutions like the CBC, as well as policies like supply management that favours dairy farmers. This section also refers to nature conservation, and the Trudeau-era target to conserve 30 per cent of Canada's land and waters by 2030.
The government here is also promising to respect the Indigenous right to 'free, prior and informed consent' with regards to developments that impact certain nations' territory, and double the Indigenous loan guarantee program to $10 billion. On immigration, this part of the speech also mentions the government will cap temporary foreign workers and international students — whose growing numbers were seen as contributing to the housing crisis – to less than five per cent of Canada's population by 2027.
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Updated 11 mins ago
Promises on security, military
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
A fourth section of the speech now focuses on safety and security. It promises new legislation to strengthen security at the border with the U.S., with new tools to stop the flow of fentanyl. Trump argued fentanyl from Canada justified some of the tariffs he's placed on Canada since taking office again in January.
The King also refers to the government's plan to build up the Canadian military, and talks about closer partnerships on defence industries with Europe. And it mentions public safety promises from the campaign, like hiring 1,000 more RCMP, toughening firearms laws and make it harder for repeat offenders for crimes like home invasions, car thefts, human trafficking and drug smuggling to get bail. This latter bit on crime is similar to what the Poilievre Conservatives promised during the campaign, and comes after some Liberals felt they lost votes over crime fears in key battlegrounds like the GTA.
Updated 11 mins ago
Throne speech promises 'free trade across the nation by Canada Day'
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
Continuing on, the King is surveying more campaign promises from the Liberal government. That includes removing internal trade barriers, which Carney predicts could unleash $200 billion in economic activity each year. The speech promises 'free trade across the nation by Canada Day,' again a campaign promise Carney made repeatedly. On top of that, the speech outlines how the Carney government wants to build development projects faster, to boost the economy and make Canada an 'energy superpower' in clean power and fossil fuels. This would be accomplished by building a Major Federal Project Office to keep project assessments to no more than two years. Crucially, the government promises to do this without compromising environmental standards or Indigenous rights. the King says the feds will make deals with any province and territory that wants one to ensure each project only gets one review (instead of overlapping federal and provincial ones), and that all such deals will be inked within six months. The King also repeats Carney's promise to double the rate of homebuilding to tackle the housing crunch.
Updated 19 mins ago
Throne speech sections mirror Carney election promises
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
The throne speech has six other sections, which closely mirror what Carney promised during the April 28 election campaign. The first, which the King is reading now, is about building a new relationship with the U.S. to get through the trade war. Though it doesn't echo Carney's declaration that Canada will 'win' that war, it talks about a 'new economic and security relationship' that will be 'rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests.' One example might be, as we saw last week, Canada's potential willingness to join Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defence system.
This section of the speech also touches on Carney's pledge to find new trading partners and build stronger relationships with other countries, which again is something discussed in light of the tensions with the U.S.
The King is now turning to the theme of affordability, with reference to the government's plan to cut income taxes, and the GST on homes under $1 million, while keeping Trudeau-era programs like dental care, child care and dental care. None of this is surprising — it's what the Liberals promised during the campaign. Boilerplate throne speech stuff.
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Updated 12 mins ago
'Canada faces another critical moment'
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
King Charles delivers the speech from the throne.
Adrian Wyld The Canadian Press
This section is titled 'opening' in the written version of the Throne Speech, and yet, it also appears that the King has had a hand in how it is framed, along with the government, because it continues the theme of the introductory section that we know the King wrote: 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect. The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing.'
The Throne speech echoes a theme we heard often in the Carney-led Liberal campaign during the election: that 'the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.'
And it asserts that 'this moment is also an incredible opportunity. An opportunity for renewal. An opportunity to think big and to act bigger. An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War.' - That was Prime Minister Mark Carney's main pitch to Canadian voters.
The King is reprising Carney's oft-stated vow that 'Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.'
Updated 13 mins ago
King acknowledges Canada's distinct national character in throne speech remarks
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
Britain's King Charles III reads his speech before opening the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada/
BEN STANSALL POOL/AFP via Getty Images
And voilà.
Here is the signal — and in fact a profound endorsement of Canadian sovereignty — that Prime Minister Mark Carney and the country has been watching for: the King makes a series of statements that acknowledges Canada's distinct national character:
'I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.'
King Charles observes there are representatives from all parts of Canada, the protective military and police services, as well as elected and appointed legislators.
'I see the guardians of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Canadian Charter and, as King, I thank you for your service to your fellow Canadians, across the length and breadth of this vast and great nation. You speak for your communities, representing an incredible richness of cultures, languages, and perspectives.
'While the world faces unprecedented challenges, generating uncertainties across the continents with regards to peace and stability, economics, and climate change, your communities have the skills and determination to bring a wealth of solutions.'
The King makes a distinct pitch for civilized discussions in the parliament to come.
'By fostering collaboration and engaging in respectful, constructive debates, you will ensure this Government is capable of bold and fair action to support Canadians.'
(It may be a vain wish, as Canadians elected a sharply divided House of Commons, with the Liberals under Carney having a plurality of seats, 169, but not an outright majority even after judicial recounts. The Conservatives hold 144. The anti-monarchist separatist party, the Bloc Quebecois, which is boycotting this Throne Speech, has 22 seats. The NDP holds 7 and the Greens 1 seat.)
Most important, the King concludes his personal portion of this Throne Speech with a declaration that Canada has 'dramatically changed' over the 70 years since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, opened a session of parliament.
He said Canada has repatriated its Constitution from Britain, 'achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth.'
'Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation.
'The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.'
This speech will thrill Carney, after he expressly invited King Charles to open the new parliamentary session.
It remains to be seen what impact it will have on President Donald Trump — who has expressed deep admiration for the British monarchy and whom the King has invited to London for a state visit.
Updated 17 mins ago
Charles can make his own remarks during first part of throne speech
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and King Charles look on ahead of the King delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa.
Adrian Wyld/ The Canadian Press
While the throne speech is written by the government, it will be the first portion in which Charles can make his own remarks.
Don't expect the King to say anything about U.S. President Donald Trump, though. Royal experts say it 'would be disastrous' if he waded into the political fray.
'That would be an explicit political statement and the sovereign cannot do anything like that' unless given the direct permission of the prime minister, said Justin Vovk, an instructor at McMaster University who researches royal history.
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Updated 30 mins ago
One of Trudeau's few public appearances since stepping down
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
Former prime ministers Stephen Harper, left to right, and Justin Trudeau speak as Margaret Trudeau looks on ahead of King Charles delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa.
Chris Young The Canadian Press
King Charles is the centre of everything today. But in the background of the shot we're watching, Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper appear to be having a lively conversation.
This is one of Trudeau's first public appearances since stepping down as prime minister.
Updated 32 mins ago
King, Queen now in Senate Chamber
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
King Charles and Queen Camilla look on ahead of the King delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Adrian Wyld The Canadian Press
Charles and Camilla are now making the rounds in the Senate Chamber, greeting Supreme Court justices and other officials. Meanwhile, about a kilometre away in West Block, the usher of the black rod is summoning MPs for the throne speech.
Charles is greeting Margaret Trudeau, as well as former prime ministers Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and Kim Campbell, sitting together.
Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla are led by procession to open the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada at the Senate of Canada in Ottawa.
BEN STANSALL POOL/AFP via Getty Images
He's also chatting with Wab Kinew, premier of Manitoba.
Updated 35 mins ago
Métis fiddle player performs
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
King Charles is in the Senate Chamber, listening to a performance by 18-year-old Métis fiddle player Morgan Grace from East Selkirk, Man.
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Updated 58 mins ago
Former prime ministers in attendance
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
Former prime ministers Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Kim Campbell, and Mila Mulroney, wife of the late prime minister Brian Mulroney, and at least seven Supreme Court of Canada judges in their ceremonial ermine-lined red robes are attending.
Updated 32 mins ago
No tiara for Camilla
By Sarah Laing Special to the Star
King Charles, Queen Camilla and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon travel in Canada's State Landau towards the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Spencer Colby The Canadian Press
Alas, no tiara moment from Queen Camilla, but she did bring a bit of sparkle today: She's wearing a brooch that nods to her role as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's Own Canadian Rifles, and a pearl and diamond choker. Yet again, she's surprised us with her outfit colour choice, choosing a navy Fiona Clare dress (one of her go-to designers) and a hat by royal milliner of choice Philip Treacy. Interestingly, it's the second day in a row French fashion house Chanel get a look-in. Yesterday it was the shoes, today it's her bag.
Updated 1 hr ago
Poilievre is in attendance
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida Poilievre are shown ahead of King Charles delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Adrian Wyld The Canadian Press
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre is among those inside the Senate Chamber for the throne speech, which we are expecting soon.
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Updated 1 hr ago
Crowds join in singing O Canada
By Mark Ramzy Ottawa Bureau
Aside from some spontaneous eruptions in cheers from onlookers here, people in the crowd have been mostly quiet, likely because their view is obstructed by large bleachers with media.
Here the crowd sings the Canadian anthem in unison.
People in crowd have been mostly quiet.
Updated 1 hr ago
Trudeau, Harper on hand for King's visit
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
Former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper.
Chris Jackson Getty Images
In attendance today: Former prime ministers Justin Trudeau (joined by his mother, Margaret Trudeau), Stephen Harper, Jean Chretién, Kim Campbell, and Mila Mulroney, wife of the late Brian Mulroney.
Margaret Trudeau with former prime minister Justin Trudeau/
Chris Jackson Getty Images
Former House speakers Anthony Rota, Geoff Regan, and Peter Milliken are also present, along with former Senate speaker George Furey.
Updated 32 mins ago
King with a hint of a smile
By Sarah Laing Special to the Star
Britain's King Charles III arrives at the Senate of Canada Courtyard in Ottawa.
ANDREJ IVANOV POOL/AFP via Getty
A hint of a smile from the king as the anthem plays, a bit of a change from the usual stoic way we often see monarchs behave in this moment.
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Updated 1 hr ago
Trudeau's shoes giving 'divorced dad energy'
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
A view of Former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau's Adidas shoes as he arrives ahead of an appearance by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Senate Chamber.
Chris Jackson Getty Images
Queen Camilla and her maple leaf brooch. Mark Carney and his Order of Canada medal. Justin Trudeau and his ... Adidas sneakers?
The former prime minister is in attendance in the Senate Chamber for the throne speech, and has appeared to up the ante from his famously colourful socks. This is what some might call 'divorced dad energy.'
Updated 40 mins ago
King, Queen receive royal salute
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Senate of Canada Courtyard in Ottawa, Canada, May 27, 2025.
ANDREJ IVANOV POOL/AFP via Getty images
Their Majesties received a Royal Salute from the honour guard as they stood with the Prime Minister and Governor General in front of the Senate. The salute, from the 100 person guard, is now being followed by a twenty one gun salute.
Updated 1 hr ago
'God save the King'; 'Go Canada'
By Mark Ramzy Ottawa Bureau
Mark Ramzy
As the Royals arrived at the Senate, onlookers erupted in staggered cheers and spontaneous chants. 'God save the King!' some chanted. 'Go Canada!' another yelled.
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Updated 1 hr ago
No crowns on royals
By Sarah Laing Special to the Star
Sad news for those hoping for a flash of major royal bling: Unlike the British State Opening of Parliament, neither the king nor queen are wearing a crown for this occasion.
This isn't unexpected, since the Crown Jewels don't tend to leave the UK. That's rather prudent, given that the Imperial State Crown, featuring a whopping 317 carat diamond, is valued roughly between $5 billion and priceless.
Updated 1 hr ago
Royal Standard over the Peace Tower
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
The Royal Standard is flying on the Peace Tower, signalling the presence of the King. However the Throne Speech will be delivered not on Parliament Hill, but just off it, in the current building housing the Senate chamber, at the old railway station in downtown Ottawa, just east of the National War Memorial.
Updated 1 hr ago
Sketch artists capturing day's pageantry
By Sarah Laing Special to the Star
There are apparently sketch artists stationed along the route today — a nod to King Charles perhaps? He's an enthusiastic watercolourist who's sold prints of his landscape paintings for charity in the past, and an art lover more generally.
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Updated 1 hr ago
King, Queen now on their way
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
King Charles and Queen Camilla are now on their way down Wellington Street, led by 14 horses and followed by another 14.
The landau that King Charles and Queen Camilla are travelling in now was built in Australia in the 1890s for the governor general there. Canada's ninth governor general, Albert Grey — best known for commissioning the CFL's Grey Cup — later purchased the landau and donated it to Canada.
It was last used in 2017 during the royal tour by Charles and Camilla.
The landau is accompanied by 28 horses.
Updated 31 mins ago
Carney's Order of Canada medal makes a statement
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
Canadian Prime Minister awaits the arrival of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Senate of Canada Courtyard in Ottawa.
ANDREJ IVANOV POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Prime Minister Mark Carney is sporting a large Order of Canada medallion as he awaits the arrival of the royals.
Today is an important manifestation of Carney's vision of what it means to be Canadian.
Since he became prime minister in March, Carney has taken steps to assert that vision in the hopes that Canadians see another way to define the national identity. That is, Carney believes that Canadians should not simply define themselves as 'not American,' but are a nation that should celebrate and embrace their English, French, and Indigenous roots. It's that historical character which distinguishes Canada from the U.S. and Carney's first prime ministerial trip to Paris, London — where he met with King Charles — and then Iqaluit was a deliberate move to convey that notion.
Carney's efforts to work out a new economic and security relationship with America while distancing Canada from the U.S. has notably led other world leaders, who clamoured to meet with him on his recent trip to Italy and the Vatican, to see in Carney and Canada a possible champion of the anti-Trump sentiment in their own countries.
(Carney's Order of Canada lapel pin broke when he arrived in Britain in March, as he descended from the plane. It fell on the tarmac. It was the first thing he said to King Charles in London, apologizing for not sporting his pin. The king jokingly offered to lend Carney's his own pin. Carny's pin was found by a diligent RCMP security officer, but it was crushed, so he was later given a new lapel pin.)
Updated 1 hr ago
PM, wife have arrived
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney.
Raisa Patel
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, have arrived as the Canadian anthem plays.
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Updated 1 hr ago
Trump mum on King's visit to Canada
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
The president is talking tariffs this morning — just not about Canada.
A few minutes ago, he weighed in on Truth Social on tariffs against the European Union and China. But Trump has yet to mention King Charles or Canada during the royal visit yesterday and today.
Updated 31 mins ago
King's visit highlights Canada's distinctness from U.S.
By Alex Ballingall Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief
A Canadian honor guard prepares for an inspection by Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Ottawa, Canada, May 27, 2025.
ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images
The symbolic aspect of today's speech is worth spending time on. In inviting the King, Carney explicitly said his goal is to highlight Canada's fundamental distinctness as a nation. Distinct, that is, from the United States. So though many people see in the monarchy a questionable vestige of colonialism that perpetrated what some have deemed genocide against Indigenous peoples, the King is also the embodiment of the historic fact that Canada exists as a rejection of American republicanism in favour of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
A general view of the thrones commissioned in 2017 and built with English walnut wood from Great Windsor Park donated by Queen Elizabeth II before King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament during an official visit to Canada.This, I think, is the symbolic power of today, coming as it does as the U.S. under Donald Trump takes an imperialist posture and talks of annexing Canada.
Updated 1 hr ago
No word on Poilievre attendance
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
A group of Conservative MPs are lined up in front of the Senate. The party has not yet answered whether Leader Pierre Poilievre, who does not hold a seat in Parliament, will be in attendance today.
MPs wait outside the Senate building.
Raisa Patel
In a nice moment of non-partisanship, Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull snapped a photo of his Conservative colleague Scot Davidson.
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Updated 1 hr ago
Media behind bayonets borne by honour guard
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
The view from the media benches.
Raisa Patel
I now understand why officials were worried about a possible impaling incident earlier. Media are right behind the honour guard.
Updated 1 hr ago
Honour guard ready
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
The guard of honour is in position, awaiting the arrival of Their Majesties.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will be arriving soon.
Updated 2 hrs ago
The route the King and Queen will travel
By Mark Colley Staff Reporter
Shortly after 10 a.m., the King and Queen will follow this route on their military parade.
Their landau — a four-wheeled carriage — will be accompanied by 28 horses as it makes its way from the Bank of Canada to the Senate of Canada, snaking past Parliament Hill on the way. Once they arrive, Charles and Camilla will receive the royal salute from the 100-person guard of honour before entering the senate chamber.
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Updated 2 hrs ago
Hundreds lined up in Ottawa
By Mark Ramzy Ottawa Bureau
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of people were lined up waiting for the King to arrive at the Senate of Canada.
Here's the scene in front of the Senate of Canada building where King Charles is going to open the 45th Parliament with the Speech from the Throne late this morning.
Already, hundreds of people are lined up in the hot Ottawa sun anticipating the King's arrival along the 1 km route he will travel on before entering the Senate.
Updated 2 hrs ago
Beware the bayonets
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
The media benches.
Raisa Patel
Canadian, British and other foreign media are packed into these bleachers. They've asked us to clear the first two benches: a line of soldiers will be standing in front of the media section with bayonets, and staff are worried that if someone faints a reporter may be impaled.
Updated 2 hrs ago
Waiting for the King
By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau
Waiting on Wellington Street.
Raisa Patel
Good morning Star readers! We are in place in front of the Senate, where the King and Queen will make their way down Wellington Street before King Charles delivers the Speech from the Throne later this morning. There are cabinet ministers, MPs (including former MPs) arriving. Many have brought their families with them.
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Updated 3 hrs ago
Final day of King's visit will include parade
OTTAWA—King Charles and Queen Camilla will wrap up their whirlwind visit to Canada with a bit of royal pomp today including a parade through downtown Ottawa in a horse-drawn carriage.
The royal couple arrived in Ottawa Monday afternoon and spent time at a local farmers market as well as holding private audiences with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.
Today they are set to arrive at Parliament Hill in a landau escorted by mounted members of the RCMP and ride a parade route where Royal watchers can catch another glimpse.
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau looks on as Queen Elizabeth II reads the speech from the throne in the Senate chamber, officially opening the session of Parliament in Ottawa on Oct. 18, 1977.
The Canadian Press file photo
King Charles is set to read the speech from the throne to open Parliament, making him the first reigning British monarch to do so since his mother Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech in 1977.
Read more from the Canadian Press
Updated 4 hrs ago
Opinion: How the King's visit to Canada can be a turning point for the monarchy in the modern world
By Solon Solomon, Contributor
King Charles' visit to Canada and his speech in Parliament speech, the first for a sitting monarch since 1977, is happening Tuesday and will become an important milestone for British and world history. But more than this, it is a perfect opportunity for all of us to rethink the concept of constitutional monarchy in the 21st century.
When it comes to the British royals, the King has already said that this is one of his goals.
So far, this relaunch of the British monarchy has focused on persons and roles. For example, the King brought forth his volition for a model under which only the monarch's direct family members will be paid by the state. The King did not hesitate to even enter into a spat with his brother, Prince Andrew, on the latter's need to pay a rent for his lodge. Yet, the question is not how the royal family members can become more efficient for the public good, but how the institution of the monarchy as a whole can be so.
Read the full column from associate professor of law at Brunel University of London Solon Solomon
6 hrs ago
This isn't the first time King Charles has visited Canada amid tensions with the U.S.
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By Raisa Patel Ottawa Bureau, and Mark Ramzy Ottawa Bureau
King Charles and Queen Camilla pass an honour guard from the Royal Canadian Dragoons as they arrive at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa for a royal visit, on Monday.
Justin Tang/ The Canadian Press
OTTAWA—When King Charles first came to Canada in 1970 — then a 21-year-old prince accompanied by his family — it was on a visit to mark 100 years since both the Northwest Territories and Manitoba joined Canada's Confederation.
It was a trip that saw Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth, confront two realities: that the treaties between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown had not created equal prosperity, and that the protection of Canada's North was paramount.
According to the Star's coverage of the visit, which occurred as Canada and the U.S. were disputing the sovereignty of Arctic waters, the Queen said in an address that 'thoughtless meddling and ill-conceived exploitation is just as bad as wanton destruction.'
On Monday, Charles, in his first visit to Canada since his ascension to the throne, faced similar realities: he is a figure some associate with this country's colonial past, now tasked with uniting a nation facing troubling challenges inside and outside its borders.
Read the full story from the Star's Ottawa bureau
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6 hrs ago
Opinion: King Charles' visit could make or break the Canadian Crown. Here's why
By Patricia Treble, Special to the Star
'I must be seen to be believed,' was a famous motto of the late Queen Elizabeth II. On May 26 and 27, Charles III fulfills that maxim when he opens Parliament on his first trip to Canada as its monarch.
'This historic honour matches the weight of our times,' is how Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the visit. This visit could be as significant as the first by a monarch when his grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, ventured from coast-to-coast on the eve of the last truly existential threat to this country: the Second World War.
Such is its timing that this visit is shaping up to be a turning point for Canada, its Crown, and its monarch. To be blunt, the reaction to those two days of pomp and protocol could make or break the Canadian Crown.
Read the full column from longtime royal watcher Patricia Treble
7 hrs ago
The King and Queen arrived to large crowds in Ottawa on Monday
By Star staff and wire services
King Charles takes part in a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa during a royal visit on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Sean Kilpatrick/ The Canadian Press
The Star was on the ground when King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down and explored Ottawa early Monday afternoon.
From dropping the puck at a street hockey game to a ceremonial tree planting, get caught up with our live coverage from the first day of the royal visit
Updated 1 min ago
Mic drop of a speech
By Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau Chief
That's a mic drop of a speech in case you are wondering. Canadians have been trying to read the tea leaves of these past two days to understand whether the monarchy really has the country's back in the face of the annexation threats of President Donald Tump. Observing that the king wore an Order of Canada pin and a red tie on arrival, and the queen a maple leaf diamond brooch. But if there was any doubt, he just erased it with a punchy series of statements that are far from ambiguous or just symbolic.
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