The King is preparing for a two-day visit to Canada – his first as the nation’s head of state.
The highlight of the trip will be on Tuesday when he will become only the second monarch, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, to attend the state opening of parliament where he will outline the government’s legislative agenda in a speech.
The 76-year-old will be accompanied by his wife, the Queen, during the short visit to the Commonwealth nation, which they hope will be impactful, according to Buckingham Palace.
On Monday, the King, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, is scheduled to meet with the recently elected prime minister and former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney.
There will also be a brief ceremony to swear in the Queen as a member of the Canadian Privy Council.
Earlier this month, Mr. Carney shared with Sky News presenter Samantha Washington that Canadians were not impressed with the UK government’s decision to offer Donald Trump a second state visit to the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer presented the invitation to the US president during a visit to the Oval Office.
Mr. Carney noted that the invitation “conflicted with clear messages” that the Canadian government was aiming to convey to the White House in response to their challenges to Canada’s sovereignty, including Mr. Trump’s suggestion for Canada to be America’s 51st state.
The Canadian prime minister extended an invitation to the King to open the country’s parliament as “a clear signal of sovereignty,” affirming that it was “not coincidental.”
“All matters concerning Canada’s sovereignty have been heightened by the president. So, no, it’s not coincidental, but it is also a reaffirming moment for Canadians,” Mr. Carney stated.
A significant moment
The journey will kick off on Monday with the royal couple celebrating the country’s cultural legacy and diversity at a community event at Lansdowne Park in the capital, Ottawa.
The late queen was the first monarch to deliver the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament in October 1957, during her first visit to the country as head of state.
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Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Identity and Culture, remarked: “His Majesty’s delivery of the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament is a momentous occasion, uniting Canadians in celebration of our rich history, democracy, and institutions that serve us all.
“This visit offers a chance to showcase the unique relationship between Canada and the Crown, while also highlighting the strength, diversity, and unity that characterize us on the world stage.”
