Britain’s King Charles has opened Canada’s new session of parliament as the country’s head of state, saying the government will protect Canadians and their sovereign rights “from wherever challenges may come at home or abroad.”
His speech follows repeated claims from US President Donald Trump that Canada should become the 51st US state. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the king to open the new parliament in his first visit since his coronation.
A 21-gun salute greeted the king as he arrived at the parliament building in the capital, Ottawa, on Tuesday.
In his speech, the king said, “The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present.”
He said Canada now faces a critical moment in which the government is determined to protect values such as democracy and the rule of law.
The speech noted that the government is prioritizing the economy and security.
Carney said the king’s visit “clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country.”
Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC, said this was the first address to parliament by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth’s in 1977.
