Queen Camilla and King Charles III’s first official visit to Canada since Charles became the British monarch in 2022.
Although brief, the two-day trip has symbolic significance given that US President Donald Trump has threatened and imposed tariffs on Canada.
What information about the visit is important to you.
What is known about the “Statement from the Throne”?
His scheduled speech from the Canadian Senate on Tuesday is a major highlight of Charles’s visit.
The governor general delivers the address on the behalf of the monarch, which is customarily known as a “Speech from the Throne.”
The speech is solemn and does not have any connection to a new legislative session. It should include reflections on Canada’s democratic institutions, unity-promoting messages, and a focus on reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
Although symbolic, Canadians rarely have the chance to hear from the monarch in a legislative setting during the speech. Additionally, it affirms the king’s status as Canada’s head of state in front of the public.
It is the first British monarch to address Canada since 1977.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said the speech would outline the government’s strategy for making the changes that “Canadians deserve and want” to be delivered.
According to Carney, this includes defining “a new economic and security relationship with the United States… to lower the cost of living and keep communities safe.”
What time will the speech be delivered?
The speech will be delivered by Charles shortly after 11 a.m. local time (15:00 GMT).
How long have Canada’s king and queen reigned?
The royal couple’s two-day tour of Canada, which began on Monday, has begun.
At Carney’s request, they arrived. Although the visit was brief, it included a number of significant engagements that reflected Canada’s long-standing ties to the monarchy.
According to the official website of the Canadian government, the itinerary includes official ceremonies, cultural events, and meetings with indigenous leaders.
The king is visiting, but why?
Charles’s trip to Canada has a number of symbolic and practical purposes. It aims to highlight shared values and historical ties and first-classly, strengthen the enduring relationship between Canada and the Crown.
The visit comes at a particularly interesting time because it coincides with heightened tensions caused by US President Donald Trump’s outrageous tariffs and controversial remarks suggesting Canada’s annexation.
According to some, Carney’s request for Charles to deliver the “Speech from the Throne” seeks to reaffirm Canada’s sovereignty and legal framework.
Canadians have found Trump’s remarks about making Canada into the 51st US state “deeply offensive,” according to Barbara Messamore, a professor of history at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Messamore told Al Jazeera, “I think it’s a good time to show the world that we’re a distinct nation with a distinct history, and we want to keep it that way.” We value our friendship with our American friends and neighbors, of course, but we don’t want to leave them.
Is it unusual for the monarch to visit?
While the British royal family has frequently visited Canada over the years, the current monarch has not been one to make such a trip. During her seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth II, for instance, traveled to Canada 22 times.
Charles is first to visit the nation as a monarch. He was still the Prince of Wales at the time of his 2022 visit.
What connection does Canada have to the monarchy?
The king is recognized as Canada’s official head of state because it is a constitutional monarchy.
The Crown is a significant part of Canada’s political system, despite its largely ceremonial nature. The governor general, Mary Simon, who serves as the monarch’s representative at the federal level, is in charge of carrying out the king’s duties in Canada.
The constitutional framework of Canada incorporates the monarchy. The king or queen was made a part of the Canadian Parliament in 1867, along with the House of Commons and the Senate.
The Crown is crucial in Indigenous relations beyond politics. Numerous historical treaties were signed directly with Canada’s government, not with the British Crown.
According to Messamore, local media coverage has largely highlighted this.
“Indigenous nations are at the forefront, and they value that kinship relationship,” she said.
Although there are varying levels of monarchy support across Canada, many Canadians still question the legitimacy of the institution.
Because it has always served as a “bulwark against American ambitions,” Messamore said.
These are significant instances of Canadian patriotism,” the statement read. She claimed that the king’s visit had a positive impact.
