King Charles' Canada visit live updates: Throne speech to highlight historic trip by the monarch

Yahoo

27-05-2025

King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Canada will culminate in the monarch delivering a historic throne speech to Parliament on Tuesday morning. It concludes a significant two-day trip, marking Charles' first visit to Canada since becoming King and his 20th overall.
After landing in Ottawa on Monday, May 26, the royal family was greeted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Governor General Mary Simon and their respective spouses. What followed was a handful of traditions at Landsdowne Park and Rideau Hall, as hundreds of Canadians came to see King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Today's throne speech is highly anticipated, as it comes during a crucial time in the country's history. It's set to begin at 11 a.m. ET, as the King opens the 45th Parliament.
"This historic honour matches the weight of our times," Carney said earlier this month, as annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump continue to be top of mind for Canadians.
Above, you can watch a live stream of this morning's festivities, highlighted by the throne speech at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Below, as part of our live blog, you can follow along for the latest updates, analysis and developments as Yahoo Canada covers King Charles' visit before he departs Tuesday afternoon.
The last time a monarch delivered the throne speech to Parliament, it was Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
The address is traditionally given by the governor general, who acts as the monarch's top representative in Canada. Its purpose is to set out the government's agenda. No public business before the throne speech can be made, as it symbolically starts a new parliamentary session.
Queen Elizabeth II is the only British monarch to deliver a throne speech, having done so in 1977 and 1957. Tuesday's occasion will be the first time that a King will open a new session of parliament.
Later today, The King will open Parliament in Canada, becoming the first monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. 🇨🇦📸 Queen Elizabeth II addresses the 23rd session of Canadian Parliament in 1957.Plus tard dans la journée, le Roi ouvrira la législature du Parlement… pic.twitter.com/fRuSqFg9LT
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 27, 2025
Early-bird royal watchers are lining up behind the barricades on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The King and Queen are set to begin their procession around 10 a.m. in a landau, a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by mounted RCMP officers. The entourage will head to the Senate building, where the King will receive full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
The landau was built in Quebec and donated to Canada for royal visits.
During his Day 1 engagements in Ottawa, King Charles III appeared more relaxed and engaged than in previous Canadian trips, according to constitutional monarchy expert Errol Mendes.
"I am impressed with how close some of the Indigenous leaders are to the King and how Charles seems to have loosed his stiffness from past visits even while being asked to do things such as dropping the puck," Mendes shared with Yahoo News Canada.
This afternoon, The King held audiences with ITK President Natan Obed, Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Metis National Council President Victoria Pruden. pic.twitter.com/OZ3uKP6LlZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 27, 2025
🏒⛸ Celebrating Canadian culture and heritage at Lansdowne Park!From hockey to local food, Their Majesties have kickstarted their visit to Ottawa at a showcase of the best of Canada.🏒⛸ Célébrons la culture et le patrimoine canadiens au parc Lansdowne!De hockey à la… pic.twitter.com/KU99k9Om3j
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 26, 2025
He added that Charles' demeanour "bodes well" and is a sign that "he may be able to bring back a small part of that genuine authentic love of the ordinary citizens that his mother had."
The monarch's mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, was known to connect with people of all classes. Whether through philanthropic activities of what has been called the 'welfare monarchy,' or her great sense of humour — the late Queen had a way about her that Charles' seems to carrying on with.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla have been greeted by hundreds of onlookers in Ottawa, a recent survey by Angus Reid Institute suggests that most Canadians are "indifferent" about the monarch's coming to Canada.
The survey found that 83 per cent of Canadians say they "don't care" about the visit, which will be highlighted by King Charles reading a speech from the throne on Tuesday morning to open the 45th Parliament.
Canadians' sentiments about King Charles have been known to differ. Since April 2022, those who view him favourably has stayed the same at 29 per cent, while unfavourable views of the monarch went from 17 per cent to 27 per cent.
The percentage of Canadians who believe Canada should continue as a constitutional monarchy "for generations to come" has also declined over the decades. Only 30 per cent of those polled believe that Canada should continue under the current system, while 46 per cent do not.
According to Angus Reid, support for the monarchy remains highest among Liberal voters, followed by those who vote Conservative.
For more findings from the Angus Reid Institute, read here.
A expert on Canada's relationship with the Crown as a constitutional monarchy is hoping King Charles' historic throne speech in Ottawa will send the United States a clear message on Canada's sovereignty.
Errol Mendes believes the King's presence is not just a figurehead but "the standard bearer of constitutional democracy" rooted in the U.K. and now entrenched in a sovereign Canada.
Mendes told Yahoo News Canada that the King embodies the rule of law, the separation of powers and the rights of citizens; it's these values that collectively form "the moral and sovereign foundation of Canada."
He added that Canada's constitutional framework stands in contrast to "the authoritarian or dictatorial regimes we are witnessing in Russia, China and sadly now in the U.S."
It's that commitment to democratic values, Mendes said, that he hopes "the head of state can deliver not only to Canadians but through the global media to leaders elsewhere and especially to the person in the White House."
On Tuesday May 27, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the Senate of Canada building at 9:50 a.m. This event is open to the public. The couple will be carried in Canada's State Landau by horses of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Wellington Street.
They will arrive at the Senate building by 10:15 a.m., greeted by a 21-gun salute. This event is open to the public.
At 11 a.m., King Charles will open the 45th Parliament with the speech from the throne, which is usually delivered by the Governor General. This speech opens every new session of Parliament.
While details of the speech have not been made public, Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles' speech from the throne will be non-political and he will not comment on Trump's call to make Canada the 51st state.
Before concluding their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will lay a wreath and flowers at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.
King Charles III is coming to Canada to deliver a message: Canada is a sovereign nation distinct from the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated suggestion that the U.S. annex its northern neighbor prompted new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to invite Charles to give the speech from the throne on Tuesday where he will lay out the Canadian government's agenda when Parliament reopens.
The monarch is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
'Canada has a steadfast defender in our sovereign," Carney said when he announced the visit earlier this month.
It is extraordinarily rare for the monarch to deliver what's called the speech from the throne in Canada. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, only did it twice in her 70-year reign. The last time was in 1977.
Canadians are largely indifferent to the monarchy, but Carney has been eager to show the differences between Canada and the U.S. and he said that the king's visit clearly underscores the sovereignty of Canada.
For more on this story from the Associated Press, read here.
King Charles ended the first day of his royal visit to Ottawa holding private audiences with Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Hall.
While comments and topics from these meetings are unlikely to be made public, experts shared with the CBC that it's a chance for King Charles to be more "candid" than he is at public events.
Former CBC Radio managing editor Jeffrey Dvorkin — an expert on public interest in the royal family in Canada — told Yahoo News Canada "his speech will have been written for him so I assume that the 'candid' conversation with the PM will be about giving the King some context."
Weighing in on the value behind the monarch's meeting with Carney and him opening the Canadian Parliament Tuesday, Dvorkin said the general expectation is for the King to follow in his late mother's footsteps in offering "sage advice" to country heads.
The King is a constitutional figure with a historical and legitimate role to play. True, he wasn't elected but that doesn't make his role less useful. His mother offered sage advice to Prime Ministers and one hopes, he will continue in that path. — Jeffrey Dvorkin, former CBC Radio managing editor
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Ottawa at 1:15 p.m. to begin a brief but significant visit to Canada.
The couple was greeted by Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney upon arrival.
Their first stop on Monday after touching down was Landsdowne Park, where they met with vendors as they made their way through a farmers market. Hundreds gathered to greet the couple, including some protesters who held signs that read "Not my king."
After 2 p.m., King Charles and Camilla made their way to Rideau Hall, where a light drizzle accompanied their tree planting ceremony. The king is a known nature lover and this is his fifth time participating in a tree planting at Rideau Hall.
King Charles then held private audiences with Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Hall.
This May 2025 visit to Canada is King Charles' 20th overall, but his first as king since his coronation in September 2022.
This visit will culminate with King Charles delivering the throne speech to open the 45th Parliament on Tuesday.
Yahoo Canada's live coverage of King Charles' and Queen Camilla's visit will resume Tuesday, May 27, at 7 a.m.
Show me more photos from King Charles' and Queen Camilla's first day in Canada
King Charles and Queen Camilla are wrapping up their first two public appearances on their short trip to Canada with a tree-mendous tradition: a planting of a tree at Rideau Hall.
King Charles is a known nature lover. As it started to rain in Ottawa, the royal couple shovelled dirt atop the bottom of the tree, a blue beech tree. What's significant about this: The dirt is collected from all 13 provinces and territories of Canada.
This is the fifth time King Charles has planted a tree at Rideau Hall, though it is his first time as King.
The royal couple is in Canada visiting the Ottawa region until Tuesday afternoon. The trip culminates with Charles delivering the speech from the throne to open the 45th session of Parliament.
Queen Camilla stepped off the plane in Ottawa sporting one of the Royal Family's beloved accessories: a diamond and platinum maple leaf brooch worn by other members of the family.
The 77-year-old royal wore the stunning piece on the lapel of her pale pink coat dress by Anna Valentine, which she originally wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
The Asprey & Co brooch was a gift to the Queen Mother (King Charles's grandmother) from her husband King George VI ahead of her first royal visit to Canada in 1939.
Diplomatic dressing is a common practice for royals, but especially for the women of the royal family. Since royals visits are highly publicized and photographed events, royals often use their clothes to pay respect to their host country.
The diamond and platinum maple leaf brooch is steeped in royal family history.
The maple leaf brooch has been worn by several members of the Royal Family during visits to Canada, including Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Queen Elizabeth II had a collection of brooches from Canada, but frequently wore the diamond maple leaf during her travels.
The Queen Mother (pictured in 1952) frequently wore the maple leaf brooch for royal engagements, both in Canada and abroad. The piece was left to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, upon her death in 2002.
Hundreds of people gathered in Landsdowne Park ahead of King Charles' visit to the Ottawa region.
King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa at 1:15 p.m. and after being greeted by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, and after themselves greeting onlookers and school children, the royal couple made their way to Landsdowne where hundreds had lined up to catch a glimpse of them. It is one of a few public events the two will be taking part in on their short, two-day visit to the nation's capital.
As new polling found, there is not runaway support for the royals in Canada. The latest data found 59 per cent of respondents, still a majority, believe the king and royal family should not have a formal role in Canadian society.
At Landsdowne Park, some protesters also gathered with signs that read "Charles is not my king."
King Charles also completed a ceremonial puck drop at Landsdowne Park, as part of his first stop in Canada.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have landed in Ottawa.
The royal couple is in Canada's capital for a short two-day visit that will culminate with the King delivering the speech to the throne on Tuesday — in both English and French.
King Charles is only the second monarch to deliver the throne speech. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did it twice before him.
The plane carrying King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Ottawa just around 1:15 p.m. on Monday.
This marks Charles' 20th visit to Canada, but his first ever as King since his coronation in 2022.
Amid their strained relationship, some royal watchers might be wondering if Prince Harry will meet his father, King Charles, during the monarch's two-day visit to Canada.
In an interview earlier this month, Prince Harry told BBC News that he is interested in reconciling with his family, including father King Charles.
"I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious," Prince Harry said. The Duke of Sussex seemingly made a vague reference to his father's 2024 cancer by saying, "...I don't know how much longer my father has.'
Harry said his father "won't speak" to him and so it is unlikely the pair will reunite or reconcile on King Charles' short trip to Canada. According to reports, there are no plans on released calendars and itineraries that would make a Prince Harry and King Charles reunion happen.
King Charles III is more than just the British Royal Family monarch and Canada's Head of State. The 76-year-old is a husband, father, grandfather and patron to more than 400 charities.
From his passion for the environment to his love of painting, keep reading to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the King — including his parenting style, hobbies and star sign.
Show me more King Charles facts.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles began treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. A statement read that King Charles had 'been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.' King Charles resumed official royal duties in April 2024 and has been continuing his cancer treatment for more than a year now.
King Charles held a reception at Buckingham Palace last month for organizations that raise cancer awareness. In a statement beforehand, King Charles reflected on his own cancer diagnosis: 'Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has released a statement ahead of the visit to Ottawa by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
"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," Carney said in the statement.
Carney noted that Tuesday's throne speech, usually delivered by the Governor General but exceptionally and historically will be delivered by King Charles, will outline the government's plan "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe."
When King Charles does it, it will be only the third time in history a monarch has delivered the speech from the throne to open a new session of Parliament. Queen Elizabeth did it twice, in 1957 and 1977, her Silver Jubilee.
The speech from the throne, or throne speech, is usually delivered by the Governor General to open a session of Parliament. Though the speech outlines a government's direction and goals, King Charles' address is unlikely to veer into political territory or comment on tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump.
One expert told the BBC the King's presence could be significant enough, as Trump "has a lot of admiration for the monarchy. He is impressed by the royals."
Royal visits are a spectacle — especially when it comes to fashion. It's not uncommon for members of the Royal Family to practise diplomatic dressing when travelling to show respect to their host country.
Royals have shown their love for Canada in many ways, but their favourite way might be through their clothes. We've dug through the archives to share the creative ways royals like Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales have paid tribute to Canada in the past.
See the full list here
King Charles and Queen Camilla's royal visit to Ottawa is more than just ceremonial, according to two experts who are closely watching the couple's trip to the nation's capital.
Former CBC Radio managing editor Jeffrey Dvorkin — an expert on public interest in the royal family in Canada — and constitutional expert Errol Mendes, believe the trip sends a message to Washington and serves as a reminder to Canadians.
'This is as much about sending a message to the Trump White House as it is to announce that a new prime minister is in charge,' Dvorkin told Yahoo News Canada.
'It is a sign that Canada is starting to limit its connections to the United States,' he added.
Mendes, an expert on Canada's relationship with the Crown as a constitutional monarchy, agrees the visit signals a deliberate pivot by Prime Minister Mark Carney at a time when tensions run high with the United States.
Mendes views the royal presence in Ottawa as a 'signal to Trump that Canada could never be for sale,' and a push by Carney to reinforce Canada's identity as a sovereign state which will seek alliances far beyond its southern neighbour, should it come to that.
Tradition meets political symbolism
It is a tradition for the monarch to remain politically neutral in his throne speech, despite the above motive behind inviting the King and Queen to Ottawa.
However, as Mendes told Yahoo News Canada, 'the King may surprise us by stating in a couched manner that Canada's legal and soft power moral standing makes it impossible to be owned by any other nation as his mother and father did in the past.'
A civics lesson, too
For Dvorkin, the royal visit will also act as a reminder of Canada's democratic institutions to Canadians.
'Many Canadians, especially young Canadians, don't really know much about how government works,' he said, highlighting a civic gap the monarchy's visit might help spotlight.
The last time a monarch delivered the throne speech to Parliament, it was Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
The address is traditionally given by the governor general, who acts as the monarch's top representative in Canada. Its purpose is to set out the government's agenda. No public business before the throne speech can be made, as it symbolically starts a new parliamentary session.
Queen Elizabeth II is the only British monarch to deliver a throne speech, having done so in 1977 and 1957. Tuesday's occasion will be the first time that a King will open a new session of parliament.
Later today, The King will open Parliament in Canada, becoming the first monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. 🇨🇦📸 Queen Elizabeth II addresses the 23rd session of Canadian Parliament in 1957.Plus tard dans la journée, le Roi ouvrira la législature du Parlement… pic.twitter.com/fRuSqFg9LT
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 27, 2025
Early-bird royal watchers are lining up behind the barricades on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The King and Queen are set to begin their procession around 10 a.m. in a landau, a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by mounted RCMP officers. The entourage will head to the Senate building, where the King will receive full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
The landau was built in Quebec and donated to Canada for royal visits.
During his Day 1 engagements in Ottawa, King Charles III appeared more relaxed and engaged than in previous Canadian trips, according to constitutional monarchy expert Errol Mendes.
"I am impressed with how close some of the Indigenous leaders are to the King and how Charles seems to have loosed his stiffness from past visits even while being asked to do things such as dropping the puck," Mendes shared with Yahoo News Canada.
This afternoon, The King held audiences with ITK President Natan Obed, Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Metis National Council President Victoria Pruden. pic.twitter.com/OZ3uKP6LlZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 27, 2025
🏒⛸ Celebrating Canadian culture and heritage at Lansdowne Park!From hockey to local food, Their Majesties have kickstarted their visit to Ottawa at a showcase of the best of Canada.🏒⛸ Célébrons la culture et le patrimoine canadiens au parc Lansdowne!De hockey à la… pic.twitter.com/KU99k9Om3j
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 26, 2025
He added that Charles' demeanour "bodes well" and is a sign that "he may be able to bring back a small part of that genuine authentic love of the ordinary citizens that his mother had."
The monarch's mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, was known to connect with people of all classes. Whether through philanthropic activities of what has been called the 'welfare monarchy,' or her great sense of humour — the late Queen had a way about her that Charles' seems to carrying on with.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla have been greeted by hundreds of onlookers in Ottawa, a recent survey by Angus Reid Institute suggests that most Canadians are "indifferent" about the monarch's coming to Canada.
The survey found that 83 per cent of Canadians say they "don't care" about the visit, which will be highlighted by King Charles reading a speech from the throne on Tuesday morning to open the 45th Parliament.
Canadians' sentiments about King Charles have been known to differ. Since April 2022, those who view him favourably has stayed the same at 29 per cent, while unfavourable views of the monarch went from 17 per cent to 27 per cent.
The percentage of Canadians who believe Canada should continue as a constitutional monarchy "for generations to come" has also declined over the decades. Only 30 per cent of those polled believe that Canada should continue under the current system, while 46 per cent do not.
According to Angus Reid, support for the monarchy remains highest among Liberal voters, followed by those who vote Conservative.
For more findings from the Angus Reid Institute, read here.
A expert on Canada's relationship with the Crown as a constitutional monarchy is hoping King Charles' historic throne speech in Ottawa will send the United States a clear message on Canada's sovereignty.
Errol Mendes believes the King's presence is not just a figurehead but "the standard bearer of constitutional democracy" rooted in the U.K. and now entrenched in a sovereign Canada.
Mendes told Yahoo News Canada that the King embodies the rule of law, the separation of powers and the rights of citizens; it's these values that collectively form "the moral and sovereign foundation of Canada."
He added that Canada's constitutional framework stands in contrast to "the authoritarian or dictatorial regimes we are witnessing in Russia, China and sadly now in the U.S."
It's that commitment to democratic values, Mendes said, that he hopes "the head of state can deliver not only to Canadians but through the global media to leaders elsewhere and especially to the person in the White House."
On Tuesday May 27, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the Senate of Canada building at 9:50 a.m. This event is open to the public. The couple will be carried in Canada's State Landau by horses of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Wellington Street.
They will arrive at the Senate building by 10:15 a.m., greeted by a 21-gun salute. This event is open to the public.
At 11 a.m., King Charles will open the 45th Parliament with the speech from the throne, which is usually delivered by the Governor General. This speech opens every new session of Parliament.
While details of the speech have not been made public, Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles' speech from the throne will be non-political and he will not comment on Trump's call to make Canada the 51st state.
Before concluding their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will lay a wreath and flowers at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.
King Charles III is coming to Canada to deliver a message: Canada is a sovereign nation distinct from the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated suggestion that the U.S. annex its northern neighbor prompted new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to invite Charles to give the speech from the throne on Tuesday where he will lay out the Canadian government's agenda when Parliament reopens.
The monarch is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
'Canada has a steadfast defender in our sovereign," Carney said when he announced the visit earlier this month.
It is extraordinarily rare for the monarch to deliver what's called the speech from the throne in Canada. Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, only did it twice in her 70-year reign. The last time was in 1977.
Canadians are largely indifferent to the monarchy, but Carney has been eager to show the differences between Canada and the U.S. and he said that the king's visit clearly underscores the sovereignty of Canada.
For more on this story from the Associated Press, read here.
King Charles ended the first day of his royal visit to Ottawa holding private audiences with Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Hall.
While comments and topics from these meetings are unlikely to be made public, experts shared with the CBC that it's a chance for King Charles to be more "candid" than he is at public events.
Former CBC Radio managing editor Jeffrey Dvorkin — an expert on public interest in the royal family in Canada — told Yahoo News Canada "his speech will have been written for him so I assume that the 'candid' conversation with the PM will be about giving the King some context."
Weighing in on the value behind the monarch's meeting with Carney and him opening the Canadian Parliament Tuesday, Dvorkin said the general expectation is for the King to follow in his late mother's footsteps in offering "sage advice" to country heads.
The King is a constitutional figure with a historical and legitimate role to play. True, he wasn't elected but that doesn't make his role less useful. His mother offered sage advice to Prime Ministers and one hopes, he will continue in that path. — Jeffrey Dvorkin, former CBC Radio managing editor
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Ottawa at 1:15 p.m. to begin a brief but significant visit to Canada.
The couple was greeted by Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney upon arrival.
Their first stop on Monday after touching down was Landsdowne Park, where they met with vendors as they made their way through a farmers market. Hundreds gathered to greet the couple, including some protesters who held signs that read "Not my king."
After 2 p.m., King Charles and Camilla made their way to Rideau Hall, where a light drizzle accompanied their tree planting ceremony. The king is a known nature lover and this is his fifth time participating in a tree planting at Rideau Hall.
King Charles then held private audiences with Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Hall.
This May 2025 visit to Canada is King Charles' 20th overall, but his first as king since his coronation in September 2022.
This visit will culminate with King Charles delivering the throne speech to open the 45th Parliament on Tuesday.
Yahoo Canada's live coverage of King Charles' and Queen Camilla's visit will resume Tuesday, May 27, at 7 a.m.
Show me more photos from King Charles' and Queen Camilla's first day in Canada
King Charles and Queen Camilla are wrapping up their first two public appearances on their short trip to Canada with a tree-mendous tradition: a planting of a tree at Rideau Hall.
King Charles is a known nature lover. As it started to rain in Ottawa, the royal couple shovelled dirt atop the bottom of the tree, a blue beech tree. What's significant about this: The dirt is collected from all 13 provinces and territories of Canada.
This is the fifth time King Charles has planted a tree at Rideau Hall, though it is his first time as King.
The royal couple is in Canada visiting the Ottawa region until Tuesday afternoon. The trip culminates with Charles delivering the speech from the throne to open the 45th session of Parliament.
Queen Camilla stepped off the plane in Ottawa sporting one of the Royal Family's beloved accessories: a diamond and platinum maple leaf brooch worn by other members of the family.
The 77-year-old royal wore the stunning piece on the lapel of her pale pink coat dress by Anna Valentine, which she originally wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
The Asprey & Co brooch was a gift to the Queen Mother (King Charles's grandmother) from her husband King George VI ahead of her first royal visit to Canada in 1939.
Diplomatic dressing is a common practice for royals, but especially for the women of the royal family. Since royals visits are highly publicized and photographed events, royals often use their clothes to pay respect to their host country.
The diamond and platinum maple leaf brooch is steeped in royal family history.
The maple leaf brooch has been worn by several members of the Royal Family during visits to Canada, including Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Queen Elizabeth II had a collection of brooches from Canada, but frequently wore the diamond maple leaf during her travels.
The Queen Mother (pictured in 1952) frequently wore the maple leaf brooch for royal engagements, both in Canada and abroad. The piece was left to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, upon her death in 2002.
Hundreds of people gathered in Landsdowne Park ahead of King Charles' visit to the Ottawa region.
King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa at 1:15 p.m. and after being greeted by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, and after themselves greeting onlookers and school children, the royal couple made their way to Landsdowne where hundreds had lined up to catch a glimpse of them. It is one of a few public events the two will be taking part in on their short, two-day visit to the nation's capital.
As new polling found, there is not runaway support for the royals in Canada. The latest data found 59 per cent of respondents, still a majority, believe the king and royal family should not have a formal role in Canadian society.
At Landsdowne Park, some protesters also gathered with signs that read "Charles is not my king."
King Charles also completed a ceremonial puck drop at Landsdowne Park, as part of his first stop in Canada.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have landed in Ottawa.
The royal couple is in Canada's capital for a short two-day visit that will culminate with the King delivering the speech to the throne on Tuesday — in both English and French.
King Charles is only the second monarch to deliver the throne speech. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did it twice before him.
The plane carrying King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Ottawa just around 1:15 p.m. on Monday.
This marks Charles' 20th visit to Canada, but his first ever as King since his coronation in 2022.
Amid their strained relationship, some royal watchers might be wondering if Prince Harry will meet his father, King Charles, during the monarch's two-day visit to Canada.
In an interview earlier this month, Prince Harry told BBC News that he is interested in reconciling with his family, including father King Charles.
"I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious," Prince Harry said. The Duke of Sussex seemingly made a vague reference to his father's 2024 cancer by saying, "...I don't know how much longer my father has.'
Harry said his father "won't speak" to him and so it is unlikely the pair will reunite or reconcile on King Charles' short trip to Canada. According to reports, there are no plans on released calendars and itineraries that would make a Prince Harry and King Charles reunion happen.
King Charles III is more than just the British Royal Family monarch and Canada's Head of State. The 76-year-old is a husband, father, grandfather and patron to more than 400 charities.
From his passion for the environment to his love of painting, keep reading to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the King — including his parenting style, hobbies and star sign.
Show me more King Charles facts.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles began treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. A statement read that King Charles had 'been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.' King Charles resumed official royal duties in April 2024 and has been continuing his cancer treatment for more than a year now.
King Charles held a reception at Buckingham Palace last month for organizations that raise cancer awareness. In a statement beforehand, King Charles reflected on his own cancer diagnosis: 'Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has released a statement ahead of the visit to Ottawa by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
"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," Carney said in the statement.
Carney noted that Tuesday's throne speech, usually delivered by the Governor General but exceptionally and historically will be delivered by King Charles, will outline the government's plan "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe."
When King Charles does it, it will be only the third time in history a monarch has delivered the speech from the throne to open a new session of Parliament. Queen Elizabeth did it twice, in 1957 and 1977, her Silver Jubilee.
The speech from the throne, or throne speech, is usually delivered by the Governor General to open a session of Parliament. Though the speech outlines a government's direction and goals, King Charles' address is unlikely to veer into political territory or comment on tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump.
One expert told the BBC the King's presence could be significant enough, as Trump "has a lot of admiration for the monarchy. He is impressed by the royals."
Royal visits are a spectacle — especially when it comes to fashion. It's not uncommon for members of the Royal Family to practise diplomatic dressing when travelling to show respect to their host country.
Royals have shown their love for Canada in many ways, but their favourite way might be through their clothes. We've dug through the archives to share the creative ways royals like Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales have paid tribute to Canada in the past.
See the full list here
King Charles and Queen Camilla's royal visit to Ottawa is more than just ceremonial, according to two experts who are closely watching the couple's trip to the nation's capital.
Former CBC Radio managing editor Jeffrey Dvorkin — an expert on public interest in the royal family in Canada — and constitutional expert Errol Mendes, believe the trip sends a message to Washington and serves as a reminder to Canadians.
'This is as much about sending a message to the Trump White House as it is to announce that a new prime minister is in charge,' Dvorkin told Yahoo News Canada.
'It is a sign that Canada is starting to limit its connections to the United States,' he added.
Mendes, an expert on Canada's relationship with the Crown as a constitutional monarchy, agrees the visit signals a deliberate pivot by Prime Minister Mark Carney at a time when tensions run high with the United States.
Mendes views the royal presence in Ottawa as a 'signal to Trump that Canada could never be for sale,' and a push by Carney to reinforce Canada's identity as a sovereign state which will seek alliances far beyond its southern neighbour, should it come to that.
Tradition meets political symbolism
It is a tradition for the monarch to remain politically neutral in his throne speech, despite the above motive behind inviting the King and Queen to Ottawa.
However, as Mendes told Yahoo News Canada, 'the King may surprise us by stating in a couched manner that Canada's legal and soft power moral standing makes it impossible to be owned by any other nation as his mother and father did in the past.'
A civics lesson, too
For Dvorkin, the royal visit will also act as a reminder of Canada's democratic institutions to Canadians.
'Many Canadians, especially young Canadians, don't really know much about how government works,' he said, highlighting a civic gap the monarchy's visit might help spotlight.