Latest news with #GodSaveTheKing
CBC
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Royal visit a 'historic moment' for Canada and King Charles
Social Sharing Hello, royal watchers. This is your regular dose of royal news and analysis. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox. In Ottawa's Lansdowne Park, those gathered in the enthusiastic crowd on Monday reached out, trying to shake hands or grab a selfie with King Charles and Queen Camilla. In the grounds of Rideau Hall, a spontaneous rendition of God Save the King filled the air after Charles and Camilla completed that most royal of royal duties: planting a tree. And in the Senate Tuesday, those listening broke into applause as Charles wrapped up his main task as Canada's head of state on a whirlwind trip to the country, drawing the speech from the throne to a close by saying, "As the anthem reminds us: The true north is indeed strong and free." The trip, which had unfolded in a highly charged political climate for the country after repeated annexation taunts from U.S. President Donald Trump, wrapped up with a sense that it was a historic moment for both the country and the monarch. "I think it is going to go down as one of the most successful royal visits," royal historian Justin Vovk of McMaster University in Hamilton said in an interview. The trip that brought Charles and Camilla to the country's capital for just shy of 24 hours "hit the mark everywhere it has needed to," Vovk said. WATCH | On the way to the Senate: King Charles and Queen Camilla parade to Parliament 17 hours ago Duration 2:35 "Everything from the moment they got off the plane, the people chosen to meet them, the inclusion of not just the chief of the National Assembly of First Nations, but also Indigenous musicians, Indigenous young people, and having high schoolers and Canadian youth get to meet him — the visit to Lansdowne Park was a huge, huge success." That time in the park Monday gave Charles and Camilla the opportunity to meet — very briefly — a wide range of Canadians. The enthusiasm of the crowd gathered there was palpable. "There was a great deal of warmth from the Canadian people gathered in Ottawa to greet the King and Queen," Toronto-based royal author and historian Carolyn Harris said in an interview. "There was spontaneous singing of God Save the King and O Canada at the tree planting at Rideau Hall. And on Tuesday, amidst all the cheering, there were a few people who shouted, 'Thanks for coming.'" Harris sees it all as "a very historic moment that was greatly appreciated by the thousands of Canadians who came to see King Charles and Queen Camilla during their time in Canada." As much as the visit was ostensibly to Canada, there is little doubt that organizers knew it would be scrutinized beyond the country's borders, particularly in Washington. But it would also be watched in the United Kingdom, where trade and other priorities can at times differ from those of Canada. "I think the U.K. government will be broadly happy with it, but it all depends on the response, if any, from the White House," Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert and lecturer in law at Royal Holloway, University of London, said in an interview. "That's the real thing and we don't know … whether Trump will just simply ignore it or whether we'll get a tweet on Truth Social all in capitals about it. That's the unpredictable thing here. "But I think in a sense this was a Canadian moment for Canada," said Prescott, who also described it as a "unique trip" for a "unique moment." It was also a moment for King Charles himself. "I would go as far as to say that outside the … immediate accession and the coronation, I think this has been his biggest moment in his reign so far," said Prescott. "There's so much in it. There's the Commonwealth element. There's the political element. There's the moment it is for Canada … that tightrope with the U.K." WATCH | The full throne speech: FULL SPEECH | King Charles delivers speech from the throne 15 hours ago Duration 28:24 King Charles, speaking from the Senate chamber on Tuesday, delivered a speech from the throne that acknowledged the worry that comes with a 'drastically changing world' — including a changing relationship between Canada and the U.S. But the speech also looked forward, pointing to government plans to increase affordability, take on major projects and build a strong economy that 'serves everyone.' In watching Charles, Prescott sees a "modern monarch" distinguishing himself from the 70-year reign of his mother, Queen Elizabeth. The throne speech Charles read, which included remarks outside those written by the Canadian government, was an "example of him delivering a sharper speech than Elizabeth II would," Prescott said. "Elizabeth II would have covered the same territory but in much more coded language. This speech didn't need to be decoded as such.… This was crystal clear and that's the big change, really." Prescott thought he detected a look of nervousness from Charles before he read the speech. "If you watch your mother do the state opening of Parliament in the U.K. — and that is a very dry speech — this is very much the Canadian equivalent. But he knew he was going to be saying much more than that. It's a much bigger moment." As much as Charles and Camilla were enthusiastically welcomed for the short visit, there are lingering questions. How much will the visit resonate with Canadians outside those who eagerly hit the streets of Ottawa to see them or who followed along from home? "I don't think we can anticipate that this is going to lead to any major shifts in Canadian sentiments about the monarchy, positive or negative," said Vovk, of McMaster University. "I think that some Canadians will see this visit as having been something good for Canada in the moment, but I think the level of comfortable indifference towards the monarchy … will largely stay where it is." No matter what level of success could be seen out of the visit, any endeavour can come with missed opportunities. "The brevity of the tour meant that it was very focused on Ottawa, on various points around the city," Harris said. "A longer tour would allow the King and Queen to visit more places in Canada, and interact with more Canadians and take in the full diversity of Canadian culture and society. "But this was a short, targeted royal visit, focused on delivering the throne speech. So it makes sense that this tour was quite focused on Ottawa." Amid all the enthusiasm shown for King Charles and Queen Camilla, there was one spot of protest, a moment that also left a mark for Vovk. "When there were the protesters at Lansdowne Park chanting, 'Not our King,' I was actually quite moved by the fact that this is Canada and they were able to do that and protest like that freely," he said. "And it was done in a peaceful way that you don't see in other places in North America. And I thought, what could be more representative of Canada than the ability to have two completely contradictory world views occupying the same space and to still be maintaining the peace?" Looking back at the visit Here's a look at how the first day of the visit went. And here's how Tuesday — the second and final day of the visit — unfolded. 'Pretty unbelievable' to meet the King again The Coronation Girls got to see King Charles a second time. "Not only did we have tea with the King in Buckingham Palace in December of 2023, but it was pretty unbelievable that his coming to Ottawa meant that a few of us could meet him again," Carol Shipley said via email. The Coronation Girls are the focus of a documentary feature film that premiered late last year and followed a dozen Canadian women while they were in England late in 2023. They were retracing the steps of a formative trip they made to the United Kingdom as teenagers at the time of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. WATCH | The Coronation Girls remember a fateful trip: Coronation Girls share 70-year history with the Royal Family 1 day ago Duration 5:41 As King Charles arrives in Ottawa to deliver a historic speech from the throne, CBC's chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault connects with a Canadian who shares a unique connection to the Royal Family that dates back to 1953. Three of the Coronation Girls were at Rideau Hall on Monday, watching Charles and Camilla plant a blue beech tree. "It was so fitting for King Charles to plant a tree — he was concerned about the environment long before most of us were thinking of it," Shipley, 89, of Ottawa, said. "At the palace, he and Yvonne Harris, a Coronation Girl from Yukon and more recently, Port Coquitlam, B.C., shared their passion and commitment to save the planet." Shipley recalled Yvonne telling Charles: "Trees are the lungs of our planet." Yvonne died two months ago, Shipley said. "We are especially grateful to His Majesty for coming to Canada at this important moment in our country's history to support us in our resolve to protect our sovereign nation from threat." What's the protocol? Those watching the royals can often wonder about the protocol involved with meeting them. And there was a moment on Tuesday that might have seemed a bit unusual ahead of the throne speech: Former governor general Michaëlle Jean led King Charles by the hand to meet Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. "On the one hand, the general protocol is that one doesn't do that: initiating physical contact, let alone physically leading members of the Royal Family," Vovk said via email. But there's also a sense that there are warm, close relationships between Charles and many of the previous governors general. "I suspect this incident falls somewhere between these two: Ms. Jean probably did overstep the broad protocols, but she may have been given consent by His Majesty to do so or felt she could based on their previous working relationship," Vovk said. Harris, the Toronto-based historian, said there is "often a relaxed atmosphere" on royal tours in Commonwealth realms. "King Charles III has embraced comparative informality on royal tours of Canada." Jean will likely receive media scrutiny based on coverage of past governors general and their interactions with the monarch, Harris said. "In 2017, Gov. Gen. David Johnston received extensive press coverage for lightly touching Queen Elizabeth II's elbow to help her down the stairs at Canada House." Royally quotable "As I have said before, 'Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream — and from there straight to my heart.'" — King Charles, in his speech from the throne delivered in the Canadian Senate on Tuesday.
NZ Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
King Charles visits Canada in a subtle rebuke to Donald Trump
The British monarch's trip to Canada is his latest foray into the realm of diplomatic symbolism. It was a call that Canadians had never been able to shout on their own soil to their new monarch: 'God Save The King.' And many of the people who had gathered at a
Sky News AU
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie step out in support of Prince William and Princess Catherine at Buckingham Palace Garden Party amid ongoing royal rift
Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie have thrown their support behind Prince William and Princess Catherine, attending Tuesday's Buckingham Palace Garden Party in a show of solidarity. The annual event, one of several hosted at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, typically sees the Sovereign take the lead. But with King Charles III and Queen Camilla tied up at another historic engagement earlier in the day, it was William and Catherine who stepped into hosting duties. The party began around 4pm local time, with working royals Prince William, 42, Princess Catherine, 43, Prince Edward, 61, and Duchess Sophie, 60, taking their places on the palace steps as "God Save The King" rang out. Catherine was a vision in a pale yellow Emilia Wickstead dress, paired with a Philip Treacy hat- repeating the very same headpiece she wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding seven years ago. She also wore the diamond Robinson Pelham earrings she chose for her own wedding to William in 2011. Guests were treated to tea, finger sandwiches and mini cakes, as the royal couple made their way across the iconic lawns to greet attendees from various organisations and patronages. Among the sea of top hats and fascinators were Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie, who mingled with guests and chatted warmly. Zara, daughter of Princess Anne, wore a soft pink and white floral frock by Angelika, while Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew, opted for a navy and white spotted midi dress with a coordinating navy hat. Their presence follows a similar show of family unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, where they were seen catching up with Princess Beatrice and Peter Phillips in the paddock area of the Sakhir circuit. While many of the late Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren remain close, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have notably been absent from royal gatherings since their departure from the Firm and move to Montecito, California in 2020. Earlier this month, Zara candidly addressed the family's strained dynamic during an appearance at a London Sporting Club lunch. "It is very hard to see from the outside, but 100 per cent, it is a family that is still going through the same struggles other people do," she said, according to The Sun. "Whether they are relationships, obviously, it is very easy to see every day. We're still very supportive of each other." Zara and her husband, retired rugby star Mike Tindall, have reportedly cut contact with Harry and Meghan following their repeated public criticisms of the royal family. Eugenie, who was once considered the Sussexes' last remaining ally within the fold, may also be shifting her stance. Her decision to attend the garden party has been seen by some as a sign of loyalty to William and Catherine, particularly after reports emerged that Harry "cut off" contact with her over a meeting she had with outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan in 2023. In addition to Zara and Eugenie, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, long-time supporters of King Charles, attended the garden party. William and Catherine were seen warmly reconnecting with several guests, including families tied to their various causes. One poignant reunion was with the family of Liz Hatton, a 17-year-old budding photographer who died from cancer last year. Liz and her family had met Catherine, a cancer survivor, during a royal investiture in October, just weeks before her untimely death. "You changed her life for the better," Liz's mother Vicky Robayna told the Princess, as per The Sun. In Liz's honour, the family has since launched a charity called Capture, aimed at supporting those affected by Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour. Catherine was gifted Jellycat toys shaped like lemon pie and pickled onion- playful tokens Liz once gave to those she loved. Kate smiled, saying, "It matches my dress, how did you know? "…If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really." The couple also spoke with Steven Frank, a Holocaust survivor whom Catherine previously photographed in 2020, and young double amputee Tony Hudgell, who missed the King's garden party earlier this month due to traffic. William laughed, telling Tony he'd "chosen a better year" to attend this time, recalling that it had been raining during Tony's planned visit.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Returns to Royal Garden Party Scene for the First Time in 2 Years, and Her Outfit Says It All
Kate Middleton and Prince William helped host a Buckingham Palace garden party on May 20, marking their first appearance at such an event this year It marked a return to the event for the Princess of Wales, who didn't attend any garden parties in 2024 amid her cancer treatment Princess Kate popped in a bright yellow ensemble, making sure she was spotted among the thousands in attendanceKate Middleton and Prince William are on hosting duty at Buckingham Palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended their first garden party of the year on May 20. It represented something of a comeback for the princess, who last attended the seasonal event in 2023. Last year, William was joined by some of his cousins in the royal family as Kate stayed at home as she underwent cancer treatment. Princess Kate, 43, and Prince William, 42, circulated among the thousands of guests on the lawns of the palace, dressing for the part. William looked dapper in a suit and top hat, while Kate popped in a yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead and a hat by Philip Treacy. Following the practice set by the late Queen Elizabeth, the Princess of Wales often opts for bright colors to stand out in a crowd. In the documentary The Queen at 90, her daughter-in-law Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, said: 'She needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen.' Don't forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen's hat as she went past.' Earlier in the year, Kate made it a point to wear muted ensembles to keep the focus on her work with charitable organizations. Kensington Palace also released a rare statement in February clarifying comments from a Sunday Times article that claimed that there was concern about Kate's style overshadowing her charity work. The same article stated that the palace would no longer be releasing details of Kate's day-to-day engagements. The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined at the gathering by William's cousins Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall. Other royal family members in attendance were King Charles' brother and sister-in-law Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Per tradition, the royal family members arrived around 4 p.m. local time, standing on the steps of the palace while the national anthem, "God Save The King," was played. They then headed onto the famous lawns to mingle with the guests, who had been treated to mini cakes, sandwiches and tea. The guests are invited to the royal residence in recognition of their public service and their links to some of the causes that William and Kate, as well as other royals, support throughout the year. King Charles hosts several garden parties at Buckingham Palace in London and one at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, inviting around 30,000 people annually for tea, conversation and music — and the chance to meet a member of the royal family. According to the royal family's official website, "Members of the royal family circulate among the guests through 'lanes.' Each takes a different route, and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a member of the royal family." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Tuesday's garden party comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla have hosted two others so far this year. It came a day after one of the other highlights of the season, the Chelsea Flower Show, which the King and Queen attended on May 19. Read the original article on People
Epoch Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
John Robson: Land Acknowledgements: Either Give the Land Back or Stop Saying It's Stolen
Commentary In response to Donald Trump's various insults, threats, and tariffs, we have apparently never been prouder to be Canadian. Why, I flew a 'God Save The King' flag on the Victoria Day long weekend and nobody threw a rock. Unless you count the Governor General, presenting the 'Award of Merit' to various police persons on behalf of the King, Just not in a good way, because it's untrue, malicious, and hypocritical. Also pervasive in the public sector as the revolt of the elites continues. Hence, some meddlesome government body 'sits on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee & Anishinabek peoples, and we want to thank the Indigenous people for their continued care and protection of All of Our Relations on this shared land.' It's nonsense, from the fiction of pre-contact Eden to their exercising ongoing stewardship of our private property to the 'All of Our Relations' nonsense about, presumably, Brother Beaver, Sister Sumac, and Mother-In-Law Mosquito. And the 'Haudenosaunee,' a.k.a. Iroquois Confederacy, hated and feared by their neighbours at the time of European contact, sharing with the 'Anishinabek' If you think truth matters, and if not, God save us, British rule put an end to chronic low-scale warfare, complete with torture, enslavement, and cannibalism, and bestowed peace, order, and good government. It was highly imperfect, including bigoted denial of the right to vote. But to portray Sir John A. Macdonald as genocidal and the Mohawks as pacifists cannot lead us anywhere but into darkness. The effort is malicious. Humans are flawed, in infuriating ways, and no institutions can entirely erase original sin. But the appropriate response is a difficult combination of humility and resolve, accepting that the most infuriatingly flawed person we ever have to deal with is ourself. Political, social, and intellectual radicalism does the opposite, crusading against Related Stories 5/12/2025 5/6/2025 As G.K. Chesterton wrote, 'all feeble spirits naturally live in the future, because it is featureless; it is a soft job… It requires real courage to face the past… full of facts which cannot be got over; of men certainly wiser than we and of things done which we could not do.' But people who preen about unceded land aren't just claiming if they'd been there in 1867, or 1667, they'd dramatically have outperformed the clods who did stumble onto the historical stage. They're pretending they did, so brilliantly that aboriginals still own the land we're sitting on, sneering at them. Which brings me to the issue of hypocrisy. Every time I sit with clenched teeth through one of these land acknowledgements, and by the way, I have discovered that I am far from alone, I want to leap up and shout, 'If you think your building belongs to someone else, what's your plan for immediately giving it back?' If you went up to some aboriginal and said, 'Hey, buddy, here's your stolen bicycle,' he or she would certainly, and rightly, anticipate your handing it over at once. To pedal smugly off, leaving them on foot instead, would evoke outrage. But how else can one describe the monotonous, sanctimonious insistence that Ottawa, Victoria, and indeed all of Canada belong to them but can't have it nyah nyah? If you really think it's theirs, you have a binding obligation to return it. And in ye badde olde days, a key function of police officers was to locate, seize, and restore stolen property. Nowadays, the GG droned, 'As police officers, or as leaders and supporters of those in uniform, you must fulfill many roles – from social worker to first responder, and from conflict mediator to expert communicator.' But never mind, 'Daddy is a cop, son. He arrests bad men.' Today, once you strap on the badge, pistol, pepper spray, truncheon, handcuffs, and scary vest, 'You support your communities through the toughest times – whether it's helping accident victims, assisting families in crisis, comforting those affected by violence, or addressing issues related to drug use and mental health.' Which arguably includes providing counselling and support to aboriginals dismayed that we're openly saying it's their land, then not giving it back because 'Our society is diverse and constantly evolving,' especially when it comes to conceptions of truth and honour. It won't do. If we want to be a country we can and should be proud of, then either give the land back or stop saying it's stolen. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
