Trump's shadow and Trudeau's shoes: The big highlights from King Charles' throne speech in Canada

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28-05-2025

In a historic moment, King Charles delivered a rousing speech at the opening of parliament in Canada. The 76-year-old British monarch hailed Canada as 'strong and free', an indirect reference to Donald Trump and his constant annexation threats. But for all the buzz that the king created, former PM Justin Trudeau stole the show with his choice of casual footwear for the regal event read more
King Charles delivers the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa, Canada. AP
Since Donald Trump returned to office, his threats to making Canada the 51st state of the United States of America have been constant. Amid these annexation threats, all attention turned to the Parliament speech in Canada delivered by King Charles III on the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney.
It was a rare moment in history — Charles is the first British monarch in almost 70 years to preside over the opening of the Canadian parliament. But in his so-called Speech from the Throne, the monarch emphasised the country's sovereignty in a new era of 'dangerous and uncertain' times.
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In his rousing speech, King Charles III said, 'The True North is indeed strong and free', referring to Canada's national anthem. He also laid out priorities for new Prime Minister Mark Carney . What was even more interesting in the King's speech was that while he reasserted Canada's sovereignty, he never once mentioned US President Donald Trump — despite the fact that he remained an elephant in the room.
As Justin Vovk, a royal historian with McMaster University, told National Post, 'Not a single word of that speech was accidental. Every single word was chosen deliberately.'
But what was the big message from King Charles' speech? We have the answer.
Canada's sovereignty — the biggest message
If there was one thing that King Charles emphasised during his speech to the Canadian parliament it was the country's sovereignty. In fact, Carney's invitation to King Charles was also a message to Trump, who has made several annexation threats.
King Charles began his speech saying he felt a 'deep sense of pride' as he and his wife, Camilla, witnessed 'Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity and hope'.
'Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect,' he said, later adding that the government was rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces – and strengthening alliances with Europe – to 'protect Canada's sovereignty'.
Similarly, he ended his speech to a rousing ovation as he said, 'The true north is indeed strong and free!'
Notably, just as the British monarch ended his speech in Canada's parliament, Trump posted on his TruthSocial platform about annexing Canada by offering protection from his proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defence system .
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'I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome system, that it will cost $61 billion dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, nation, but will cost zero dollars if they become our cherished 51st state,' Trump said, adding: 'They are considering the offer!'
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they attend the State Opening of the Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa. Reuters
The trade war
The 76-year-old king also focused on Canada's position in the world at a time when the world is faced with unprecedented challenges. He spoke of the ongoing global trade war, started by Trump, and reasserted that need for Ottawa to reinforce its established trading relationships, notably with European allies.
'The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing,' Charles said. 'Canada's relationships with partners are also changing.'
King Charles said that 'this moment is also an incredible opportunity'. 'An opportunity to think big and to act bigger. An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War.'
However, he also hailed Canada-US ties, asserting, 'The prime minister and the president of the United States, for example, have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States,' he said, 'rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.'
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Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney applauds Britain's King Charles at the Senate Chamber in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Reuters
Tackling Canada's housing crisis
King Charles' speech also focused on Canada's housing crisis , as prices of houses have skyrocketed across the country in the last decade. The King outlined the government's plan to tackle this issue — stating that the Canadian government will be reducing taxes for the middle class and cutting the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time homebuyers — a promise that Carney had made during the campaign.
The King also said the government will double the rate of housing construction and create Build Canada Homes, a new government agency that will act as a developer for affordable housing. 'It will invest in the growth of the prefabricated and modular housing industry. And it will provide significant financing to affordable home builders,' he said.
He added that the Government will make the housing market work better, including by cutting municipal development charges in half for all multi-unit housing. The government will drive supply up to bring housing costs down.
Britain's King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne during the opening the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada at the Senate of Canada in Ottawa. The 76-year-old monarch didn't mention Donald Trump even once by name during his speech even though the US president continues with his Canada annexation threats. AFP
Trump looms large over Canada
While King Charles didn't mention US President Donald Trump at all, he remained an ever looming presence.
Neither did Charles utter Trump's name when he spoke about Canada's sovereignty, nor did he mention the US president when it came to the trade wars.
Through the speech, the King was seen as sticking up for Canada when it was under pressure from its bigger neighbour — the United States of America.
However, King Charles' speech was a fine balancing act — while it elicited a rousing ovation from Canada, it also ensured to appease Trump. In fact, at one point during his address, he seemed to be extending an olive branch to the US president by saying that the Canadian government would do more to stop fentanyl crossing the border, a drug that was the subject of accusations by the US administration.
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Much ado about a shoe
King Charles' Canada parliament speech was a royal affair, full of pomp and pageantry. The King entered the packed chamber in a procession to the sound of trumpets before delivering his speech from a throne. In fact, the King wore a formal pinstripe suit bearing a dense row of medals, leading with his Canadian insignias.
Canada's former Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau speak next to Margaret Trudeau ahead of Britain's King Charles delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa, Canada. Don't miss Trudeau's orange and green sneakers! Reuters
However, amid all this splendour, one thing stood out like a sore thumb. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opted to wear a pair of green and orange Adidas Gazelle sneakers. His casual choice of footwear soon became a talking point, with many criticising the former PM for his fashion choices.
One user said on X, 'The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, puerile Privy Councillor and former prime minister, can't even bother to wear dress shoes as he attends Canada's monarch's first Speech from the Throne since his dad was PM.'
'Justin Trudeau being Justin Trudeau had to do something… wear something to be noticed, to be talked about,' another said. 'Not sure why anyone is surprised. Trudeau was always needs to stand out.'
With inputs from agencies