King Charles gives a stirring address as he begins Canada's 45th Parliament

 

On Tuesday, King Charles III made a bombshell address to begin parliament, taking a strong stand on Canada in the face of threats.

The 76-year-old, as Head of State, has formally started Canada's 45th Parliament, despite the US president's threats to declare the country the '51st state'.

In his historic speech, the King, without mentioning Trump, stated that Canadians can "give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away."

Charles is the first monarch since 1957 to preside over the inauguration of a new Canadian parliament.

On his twentieth visit, the king said, "The True North is indeed strong and free."

King Charles III's staff published magnificent photos of the king on the royal family's official Instagram account, emphasizing the courageous decision despite US tensions.

The Palace sent the following message: "The King, as Head of State, has officially opened Canada's 45th Parliament."

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The governor general normally delivers the speech from the throne, which is intended to describe the government's goals for the following legislative session. The prime minister's office collaborated with personnel from the king's office to write the speech.

The king made no direct mention to Trump, but his words were widely scrutinized for implied critiques of the US president and his significant reshaping of the US-Canada relationship.

"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," said Charles.

He stated that "staying true to Canadian values" will allow the country to "build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians".

The king alluded to attempts to reduce relations with the United States. "The prime minister and the president of the United States, for example, have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the US, rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations."

Sitting next to Queen Camilla, the king also made a reference to the last time a monarch launched a new parliament, some seven decades ago, when his late mother visited Ottawa.

In her 1957 address, Queen Elizabeth stated that "against the backdrop of international affairs, no nation could live unto itself". Charles expressed tremendous delight in the fact that "Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good."

The symbolic visit occurred as Canadians continue to debate the monarchy's future role. In 2023, polling company Ipsos reported that about 70% of Canadians believe the royal family should not take a large role in Canadian culture.