On May 27, 2025, King Charles delivered a significant speech from the throne in the Senate chamber in Ottawa, Ontario, marking an important moment in Canadian governance. The 76-year-old monarch, ceremonial head of state for Canada and 13 other Commonwealth realms, traversed some rocky waters while presenting the legislative agenda for the coming year. She deftly walked the charged political tightrope created by the past few months’ events with now-indicted former U.S. President Donald Trump.
King Charles’ address lasted approximately 26 minutes and addressed various challenges facing Canada. Perhaps most significantly, it placed in stark relief the continuing world of Canada–US relations given the shifting sands of international affairs. This backdrop gave the speech unusual relevance, given that King Charles was precisely trying to soothe anxious Canadians about their sovereignty and unity.
The monarch began by referencing the importance of protecting Canada’s sovereignty, stating, “The government will discharge its duty to protect Canadians and their sovereign rights, from wherever challenges may come at home or abroad.” He reinforced the notion that Canada is at a critical juncture in its history, emphasizing that “democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear.”
King Charles touched upon Canada’s evolving economic ties with the United States, noting that “the system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing.” He remarked on how Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Joe Biden have begun to redefine the economic and security relationship between the two nations.
“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 U.S., rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.” – King Charles
Political observers praised the speech for its soft, yet very definite reprimand to the Trump administration. According to communications expert Jeffrey Dvorkin, quoted in The Atlantic, that is what puts the gravity in this approach. He stated, “What it did — really quite deliberately — was send a message to the administration of Donald Trump that the country is going to go in a somewhat different direction than it has in the past.”
In his speech, King Charles acknowledged the Crown’s position as a unifying symbol in Canada. He stated, “The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada,” further adding that it “represents stability and continuity from the past to the present.” This focus on unity comes at a time when many Canadians are reevaluating their international relationships without forsaking their geographic ties.
As part of his commitment to national defense, King Charles announced that the government would prioritize “rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces.” This pledge is a real and important step towards answering calls to strengthen Canada’s security within an increasingly unstable global environment.
The ceremony opened with the arrival of Key Charles and Queen Camilla at Parliament. They paraded through the streets of Ottawa in a golden, horse-drawn carriage. They received a warm welcome upon arriving at the tarmac from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canadian Governor General Mary Simpson.
Following the speech, King Charles received a standing ovation from members of Parliament, signaling support for his address and its themes of sovereignty and national identity.
“Geography has been the greatest uniting force. But now under Prime Minister Carney, Canadians are looking overseas for a different set of connections without necessarily separating from the best connections that Canada has with the United States.” – Jeffrey Dvorkin
