King Charles to Visit Canada and Deliver Throne Speech, Marking a Historic First as Monarch
King Charles III will travel to Canada later this month to deliver the speech from the throne and officially open a new session of Parliament on May 27, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday. Queen Camilla will accompany him during the two-day visit, which will take place on May 26 and 27.
“This historic honour matches the weight of our times,” said Carney, emphasizing the symbolic and political importance of the King’s presence.
Governor General Mary Simon confirmed the visit, stating, “Whit and I will be delighted to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Canada. Our Canadian identity is deeply rooted in our Constitution, and this visit highlights the enduring relationship between Canada and the Crown.”
Simon also noted the importance of unity in a time of global challenges: “Now more than ever, we need to come together to ensure a future that builds on our shared global values of democracy, equality and peace.”
The throne speech, which outlines the government’s priorities and legislative agenda, is traditionally delivered by the Governor General. However, in this rare and historic instance, it will be read by the King himself — a first since Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1977.
According to CBC News, Prime Minister Carney discussed the possibility of this visit with King Charles during a private meeting at Buckingham Palace prior to the recent election.
Toronto-based royal historian Carolyn Harris commented that Charles’s participation “sends a clear message regarding his dedication to the role of King of Canada.”
The visit also comes amid increased scrutiny of Canada’s ties to the monarchy, with some political tension fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent jabs suggesting Canada could become “the 51st state.”
Royal historian Justin Vovk noted the significance of this timing: “It seems fairly likely that the current state of relations between Canada and the United States shaped the decision to not only have the visit so soon but also for it to involve the opening of Parliament.”
Carney, who ran a campaign positioning Canada as sovereign and distinct from U.S. influence, is seen as reinforcing that message with the King’s prominent role in parliamentary proceedings.
Observers have noted a recent uptick in royal symbolism tied to Canada, including Charles’s public reference to himself as the “King of Canada” during a speech to Italy’s parliament — a rare and intentional remark outside the Commonwealth.
Carolyn Harris said the upcoming visit mirrors Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 1957 trip, when she opened Parliament early in her reign. Like that visit, this one will be brief, but meaningful.
Due to King Charles’s ongoing cancer treatment, future royal tours may be limited in scope. This upcoming visit — his 20th to Canada and Queen Camilla’s fifth — will mark his first to the country as reigning monarch. The detailed itinerary will be released soon by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
