British king and queen begin two-day visit to Canada
PA Media/dpa
London
British King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed to Canada by its prime minister, as they began a trip widely seen as a show of support for the country which has found itself in conflict with US President Donald Trump.
Charles and Camilla shook hands with Mark Carney, who has been engaged in a war of words with the US leader and has described the role the king will play at the state opening of the Canadian parliament as a 'historic honour' that 'matches the weight of our times.' The king will give the address to open the parliament on Tuesday, and set the Canadian government's administration legislative programme.
Carney said it would 'define a new economic and security relationship with the United States.' He greeted the king and queen as they disembarked the Royal Canadian Air Force plane that flew them from RAF Brize Norton in the United Kingdom to the capital, Ottawa.
In a statement ahead of their arrival, Carney said: 'The royal visit is a reminder of the bond between Canada and the Crown, one forged over generations, shaped by shared histories and grounded in common values.' 'A bond that, over time, has evolved, just as Canada has, to reflect the strength, diversity and confidence of our people.' 'Tomorrow, His Majesty King Charles III will deliver the speech from the throne in the Senate Chamber, nearly 70 years after Canada's sovereign first opened Parliament,' he added.
'This historic honour matches the weight of our times.' 'It speaks to our enduring tradition and friendship, to the vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity, and to the historic ties that crises only fortify,' Carney said.
'Canada's strength lies in building a strong future while embracing its English, French and Indigenous roots, the union of peoples that forms our bedrock.'
Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremonial welcome were Canada's first indigenous governor general, Mary Simon, the king's representative in Canada, and a number of senior figures from Canada's indigenous peoples, including Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
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