UK
King Charles arrives in Canada for first visit as head of state
King Charles has arrived in Canada for his first visit as the country’s head of state.
The 76-year-old, who is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer, landed in Ottawa shortly after 1pm (6pm UK time).
The King is set to attend a community event at Lansdowne Park, a 40-acre urban park with several heritage sites, and a ceremonial tree planting at Rideau Hall, where he will meet with newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Later on Monday, Queen Camilla, who is accompanying her husband on the trip, will be sworn in as a member of the Canadian Privy Council.
Charles and Camilla during a community event at Lansdowne Park. Pic: PA
The King greeted people during his visit at Lansdowne Park. Pic: PA
The royals hope their two-day visit to the Commonwealth nation will be “impactful”, according to Buckingham Palace.
On Tuesday, Charles will attend the state opening of the Canadian parliament and set out the government’s legislative agenda in a speech, an honour usually reserved to the governor general.
He is only the second monarch, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. The late queen delivered the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament in October 1957, her first visit to the country as head of state.
King Charles and Mark Carney on Monday. Pic: PA
King Charles speaks with Weston Girl Carol Shipley, 89, during a tree planting ceremony in Rideau Hall. Pic: PA
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King’s Canada visit: Why is it important?
Steven Guilbeault, Canada‘s minister of identity and culture, said: “His Majesty’s delivery of the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament is a momentous occasion, one that brings Canadians together in celebration of our rich history, our democracy, and the institutions that serve us all.
“This visit offers an opportunity to showcase the special relationship between Canada and the Crown, while also highlighting the strength, diversity, and unity that define us on the world stage.”
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The King opening Canada’s parliament was a “clear message of sovereignty” and “not coincidental”, Mr Carney said after revealing that Canadians “weren’t impressed” by the decision of the UK government to offer Donald Trump an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
Mr Carney said the invitation Sir Keir Starmer handed to the US president earlier this year “cut across clear messages” that the Canadian government was trying to send to the White House in response to their threats against Canada’s sovereignty, including Mr Trump’s idea for it to be America’s 51st state.