Ottawa, Ontario, May 27 (AP) King Charles III is set to outline the new government priorities of Prime Minister Mark Carney during a speech at the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday. This event is widely perceived as a demonstration of support amidst annexation threats from US President Donald Trump.
Trump has persistently suggested annexing Canada, prompting Prime Minister Carney to invite King Charles to deliver the speech from the throne. As the head of state in Canada, which is part of the British Commonwealth of former colonies, the king's presence underscores vital aspects of Canada's sovereignty.
In a statement, Carney remarked that the king's visit highlights the “vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity.” It is a rare occurrence for the monarch to deliver the speech from the throne in Canada; Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did so only twice during her 70-year reign, with the last occurrence in 1977.
The content of the speech is provided by the Canadian government, not written by the king or his UK advisers, as Charles serves in a nonpartisan capacity. The new prime minister, Mark Carney, who previously headed the Bank of England, met with the king alongside Canada's first Indigenous governor general, Mary Simon, on Monday.
Despite Canadians generally being indifferent to the monarchy, Carney is keen to highlight distinctions between Canada and the United States. He stated that the king’s visit clearly reinforces Canada’s independence.
Carney’s election as prime minister followed his commitment to addressing the increasing aggression exhibited by Trump. Meanwhile, the new US ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, remarked that sending messages to the US through symbolic actions is unnecessary. He suggested that matters could be resolved more simply via conversations with him or the president.
Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University, noted that there are different means to convey a message and highlighted the significance of the king's introductory remarks, which observers will scrutinize in the context of Canada's sovereignty.
The king and queen will arrive at the Senate of Canada Building in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by 28 horses—14 at the front and 14 at the back. He will receive the Royal Salute from a 100-person honor guard of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, before delivering his speech.
The king's visit will conclude with his return to the UK, following the speech and a visit to Canada’s National War Memorial. (AP)
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