King Charles departed Canada Tuesday afternoon after a whirlwind royal tour that saw him deliver a throne speech aimed at unifying the country and reasserting its sovereignty.
Seated in a brand-new throne and surrounded by dignitaries, the King opened Parliament with a show of royal tradition — the first throne speech delivered by a reigning monarch in Canada in nearly half a century.
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 usually read by the governor general as the King's representative in Canada.
The speech is typically drafted by the federal government to set out its priorities for the coming legislative session but the Prime Minister's Office confirmed this one was done in "collaboration with the Palace."
There were signs of personal touches from the King, including references to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who delivered the throne speech in 1957 and 1977, and his own fondness for Canada, which he said he has now visited 20 times.
This was his first visit as King.
"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," he said in the speech's opening moments.
The King was invited to deliver the speech by Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a symbolic gesture following months of comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about turning Canada into the 51st state. And it referenced the issue, at least indirectly, with the King saying in the opening moments, that Canadians have come "together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope."
And in the closing moments, he drew the event's biggest applause, referencing O Canada, and saying "the True North is indeed strong and free."
Carney told The Canadian Press after the speech that line "rang true and shows that His Majesty understands what makes this country so great."
He said the King delivered "a strong message of a confident Canada, pride, sovereignty and a great future."
The King sat next to Queen Camilla as he read the roughly 27-minute speech, several portions of it 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.
Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon were among those guiding the King and Queen through the Red Chamber and making introductions.
Also present for the speech were former prime ministers Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper — seated next to each other — and former governors general David Johnston, Michaëlle Jean and Adrienne Clarkson. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was also present, as were various provincial premiers and Supreme Court justices.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was among those who greeted the monarch after the speech Tuesday. He said he discussed his province's recent deadly wildfires with the King.
Kinew said in a social media post that they also talked briefly about the climate and building the economy, adding the King left saying, "We need Indigenous wisdom."
The King left the Senate building after the speech to shake hands with some of the gathered onlookers before laying a wreath at the nearby Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The King and Queen then got into the back of a blue sedan to return to the airport, ending the visit.
"Thank you for coming," one voice called out from the crowd as the Royal couple moved toward their motorcade.
"God save the King," yelled another.
The King and Queen left Ottawa on a Canadian government plane, shortly after 1 p.m., a little more than 24 hours after they had arrived.
The couple started the second day of their Canadian visit by travelling in Canada's state landau past crowds of admirers in front of Parliament Hill. They were joined by Simon and her husband Whit Fraser.
The King wore a dark blue striped suit with the Order of Canada around his neck and his customary medal array. The Queen wore a navy blue dress and hat, with a matching handbag.
The landau was escorted down Wellington Street in Ottawa by mounted RCMP officers, stopping in front of the Senate building, where the King received full military honours and a 100-person honour guard from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
The ceremony included an inspection of the guard and band and a 21-gun salute.
Royal watchers gathered along the parade route shared mixed emotions ahead of the procession Tuesday.
Beth MacDonald, a royalist who attended King Charles' coronation two years ago, said she makes a point of attending every royal event she can. This one has added significance, she said, because it's happening more than a year after the King announced his cancer diagnosis.
“This is going to be, I’ll almost say, bittersweet, because I know it’s probably his last visit over here," she said.
David Greenberg, who was among the crowds lining the parade route, also attended the parade for the previous monarch's throne speech. He said he was watching history happen.
“It doesn’t happen very often. It may not happen again," he said.
The royal visit is happening at a critical moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly calls for Canada's annexation and attempts to overturn the rules of global trade with tariffs.
“I think in the long run it’ll do good for Canadians to remember we’re Canadians, and not the 51st state," MacDonald said. "Maybe this visit and him doing the throne speech will remind Canadians of that.”
Elizabeth Armstrong, another of the royal watchers in the crowd Tuesday morning, called the event a "strong but quiet statement from His Majesty."
The royal couple arrived in Ottawa Monday afternoon. They spent time at a local farmers market and held private audiences with Carney and Simon.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
