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Seated in a brand-new throne and surrounded by Canadian dignitaries, King Charles opened Parliament Tuesday with a show of royal tradition.
On Tuesday morning, the King became the first reigning monarch to read a speech from the throne in Canada in nearly half a century.
In it, he proclaimed the “True North is indeed strong and free,” reaffirming Canada’s sovereignty while underscoring the “unprecedented” challenges the nation faces.
King Charles said that every time he visits, “a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream — and from there straight to my heart.”
The speech from the throne begins a new session of Parliament and is typically read by the governor general as the King’s representative in Canada. Written by the federal government, the speech lays out its priorities for the legislative session.
The King read portions of the speech in French.
King Charles is the first monarch ever to sit in the new throne designed for the Senate of Canada chamber. The throne includes the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cipher — a monogram that serves as a sovereign’s personal emblem — and incorporates a piece of English walnut from Windsor Great Park, a nod to King Charles.
In the Throne Speech, King Charles says Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government vows to protect Canadian sovereignty by building up the military and redefining the relationship with the United States.
The speech confirms that Canada will join the ReArm Europe plan — a major defence procurement project to ramp up arms production in Europe.
The move could reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S. as a source of military equipment.
The speech from the throne lays out the government’s priorities for the new Parliament.
The speech mentioned Canadian sovereignty several times and the King finished his address by saying, “As the anthem reminds us, the true North is indeed strong and free.”
The speech follows months of U.S. President Donald Trump calling for Canada’s annexation and deploying tariffs against U.S. allies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
