‘Strong and free’: Throne speech delivered by King Charles underscores Canada’s sovereignty

CITYnews halifax /  / By The Canadian Press and News Staff

Reading the throne speech on Tuesday, King Charles said 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 from the throne lays out the government’s priorities for the new Parliament.

Ahead of laying out the government’s priorities, the King gave a personal message to Canadians about his connection to Canada.

“Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there, straight to my heart,” he said.

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.”

It also confirmed 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 follows months of U.S. President Donald Trump calling for Canada’s annexation and deploying tariffs against U.S. allies.

King Charles III opens parliament: Full throne speech

King Charles III opens the 45th parliament with his throne speech, outlining the government’s economic plans and relations with allies.

The King said Canada faces a “critical moment” as the system of global trade that made it prosper undergoes a shift.

He said Canada faces “unprecedented challenges” as the world changes and as relationships with key allies come under pressure.

The King also said the world is now “a more dangerous and uncertain place” than at any point since the Second World War.

He said that while Canadians feel anxious about the future, the moment also brings an “opportunity for renewal.”

The King is the first reigning British monarch to read the speech from the throne since his mother Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech in 1977.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrives to the Senate ahead of the King delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa on May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS_Sean Kilpatrick

King Charles travels in carriage to Senate for throne speech

King Charles and Queen Camilla started the second day of their Canadian visit on Tuesday by travelling in Canada’s state landau past crowds of admirers in front of Parliament Hill.

The King wore a dark blue striped suit with the Order of Canada around his neck and his customary medal array. Next to him, the Queen was wearing a navy blue dress and hat.

They were joined by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser.

The landau was escorted down Wellington Street in Ottawa by mounted RCMP officers.

The King and Queen arrived shortly after 10 a.m. ET at 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.

Photos: King Charles III delivers throne speech, opening Parliament

After delivering the throne speech, the King shook hands in gathered crowds alongside the Queen.

The royal couple visited the National War Memorial where he a trumpeter played Last Post and a band played the national anthems of Canada and the U.K.

The King laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while the Queen placed flowers atop.

They again shook hands with dignitaries before entering a motorcade and making their way to the airport to leave Canada following the two-day visit.

The royal couple arrived in Ottawa Monday afternoon. They spent time at a local farmers market and held private audiences with Carney and the governor general.

King Charles made at least 18 official visits to Canada as the Prince of Wales. This was his first trip to Canada since his coronation.