Thousands of royal watchers gathered on a sunny Monday afternoon in Ottawa to give King Charles and Queen Camilla a taste of Canadian hospitality during their short but highly symbolic trip.
The King landed a day before he is set to deliver the speech from the throne to open Parliament — a rare event that comes as Canada copes with U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to upend global trade through tariffs and his repeated calls for Canada's annexation.
The Canadian Armed Forces plane carrying the King and Queen landed in Ottawa shortly after 1 p.m.
King Charles, in a taupe suit and dark red tie, and Queen Camilla, in a pastel pink coat dress, were greeted on the runway by Canadian officials, including Prime Minster Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, along with the leaders of national Indigenous organizations.
They then walked past a small group of onlookers gathered at the airport, shaking hands with some, before climbing into a blue sedan.
An arrival guard from the Royal Canadian Dragoons was also on hand to welcome the King and Queen.
This trip is the couple's first visit to Canada since the King's coronation two years ago.
Their first stop was Lansdowne Park — a large events venue in the heart of the nation's capital — to meet with community members Monday afternoon. Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe were among those in the welcoming committee at Lansdowne.
King Charles took part in a ceremonial puck drop for a street hockey game in the plaza after he and Queen Camilla strolled past farmers' market vendors in the crowded courtyard.
Chris Phillips, a veteran defenceman who played for the Ottawa Senators across nearly 20 seasons in the NHL, took part in the face-off before the youth game got underway. He said the King showed plenty of enthusiasm for the national pastime.
“I think he was ready to jump in and play with the kids there, if he could," Phillips said.
Among the vendors greeting the royals was Sarah Garland, whose family runs a sugar shack in the Ottawa area. She said the family jumped at the chance to meet the King and Queen when they were approached last week.
“If the King wants our maple syrup, have to give the man what he wants,” Garland said, adding the royal visit offers a “symbol of unity and family."
The King and Queen also met the Altaouil family, Syrian refugees who run a falafel stand at the farmers' market. Members of the family said before the visit they were nervous but thrilled by the chance to share their cuisine with the King.
Jenna Kocik, who flew in from Yellowknife for the event, arrived early in the morning to join the crowd at Lansdowne. She carried a banner blending the Canadian flag with the Union Jack.
She shook hands with the King and Queen as well as Carney and said the royal interaction was "momentous."
Kocik, who described herself as a "passionate royalist," said the visit is a testament to "strength in our sovereignty" and Canada's connection to the Commonwealth in an uncertain geopolitical environment.
Another spectator, Norman MacDonald, said he's "proud" that the King came to town to deliver a message on behalf of Canadians.
"Canada is not, obviously, for sale, and it's not going to be bullied," he said.
Carney asked the King to read the speech from the throne on Tuesday, which sets out the government's priorities for the legislative session.
It will be the first time Canada's head of state has opened Parliament since Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1977.
Carney said in a media statement Monday that "this historic honour matches the weight of our times."
"To that end, the speech from the throne will outline the government's ambitious plan to act with urgency and determination, and to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve: to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe," he said.
The royal entourage departed Lansdowne Park shortly after 2:30 p.m.
The King and Queen ended their public events Monday afternoon at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the royals while in Canada, where they planted a ceremonial blue-beech tree in front of onlookers.
The King was set for meetings with Carney and Gov. Gen. Simon, who acts as the representative of the Crown in Canada. He also added previously unscheduled meetings with the leaders of three Indigenous organizations for late Monday afternoon.
Simon issued a media statement Monday morning welcoming the King and Queen to Canada.
"The presence of Their Majesties at this pivotal moment in our history holds profound significance. It reaffirms the enduring constitutional bond that has shaped Canada’s journey into a proud and independent nation," Simon said.
"The Crown’s role in Canada is more than symbolic; it serves as a cornerstone of the democratic freedoms and rights we cherish. The presence of Their Majesties fosters a sense of unity among Canadians, reminding us of the shared values that bring us together — respect, compassion and hope."
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
