Ottawa, May 27 (AP) King Charles III addressed the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday, highlighting the unprecedented challenges Canada faces in today's perilous world. This speech, viewed as a gesture of support following US President Donald Trump's annexation hints, underscored the king's nonpartisan role.
Prime Minister Mark Carney invited King Charles amidst Trump's controversial suggestions of annexing Canada. In his speech, delivered in French, Charles acknowledged Canada’s unique challenges, saying, "Our world has never been more dangerous and unstable since the Second World War."
Addressing Canadian anxieties and uncertainties, Charles reassured, "The True North is indeed strong and free," reaffirming Canada's sovereignty.
A Rare Moment for the Monarch
The event marked a rare occasion of a reigning monarch delivering a speech from the throne in Canada, an honor last performed by Queen Elizabeth II. Reflecting on the changes since his mother's first Parliamentary opening 70 years ago, Charles celebrated Canada’s full independence, bilingual nature, and multicultural identity.
“Canada has transformed dramatically, repatriating its constitution and witnessing immense growth,” the king remarked, touching on Canada's British, French, and Indigenous roots.
He linked the present moment to past crises, recalling the Cold War's intensifying threats when his mother inaugurated a session of Parliament in 1957. "Freedom and democracy were under threat," he noted, asserting that today Canada faces another crucial juncture.
The King’s Address and Its Implications
Although the speech wasn't authored by Charles, being arranged by Canada's government, he conveyed its messages without partisan bias. Carney, keen on distinguishing Canada from the US, emphasized economic diversification. This sentiment was evident as King Charles highlighted Canada’s potential for new alliances, given that over 75% of its exports are US-bound.
The relationship with the US, described as tense, was further scrutinized when US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra suggested Canadians overlook the annexation rhetoric. Yet, the king's speech prioritized Quebec’s cultural and linguistic heritage, countering Trump's criticisms during trade discussions and reiterating military reinvestment commitments to safeguard sovereignty.
Canada’s decision to join Europe's "REARM Europe" military initiative, rather than sourcing from the US, was pointedly significant.
Pomp and Ceremony
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s grand arrival featured a horse-drawn carriage escorted by an equestrian guard. Following a 21-gun salute and honor guard inspection, Charles addressed an applauding crowd inside the Senate, witnessed by former Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper.
Concluding his visit at Canada’s National War Memorial, the king’s departure to the UK was met with gratitude from onlookers, echoing the sentiments experienced when Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated Parliament in Grenada post-invasion in 1985.
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