King Charles delivers throne speech at Senate, opening Parliament

Charles is now turning to the throne speech, which is written by the Canadian government.

“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling,” he said.

The speech also calls it a moment of opportunity.

“A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away.”

Carney invited the King to deliver the throne speech very much to draw attention to the differences between Canada and the United States in the wake of annexation threats from the U.S. president.

“Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation,” read Charles.

“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.”

Not all Canadians would believe that last line necessarily, but again they are important during a trip dripping in symbolism.

The King has begun to deliver the government’s speech, but has started with some personal sentiments.

“I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians,” he said.

He told those gathered in the room that they “speak for your communities, representing an incredible richness of cultures, languages, and perspectives.”

“While the world faces unprecedented challenges, generating uncertainties across the continents with regards to peace and stability, economics, and climate change, your communities have the skills and determination to bring a wealth of solutions,” said the King.

It’s an acknowledgement of the special but also difficult moment Canadians find themselves in.

As we waited for MPs to arrive at the Senate chamber, the King and Prime Minister Mark Carney had a lengthy chat.

This is an unusual sight. These events are usually pretty formal. But after Charles finished greeting dignitaries in the Senate and sat back down on the throne, Carney approached him and they chatted for at least five minutes.

They are clearly friendly; the two got to know each other during Carney’s time as governor of the Bank of England. They also had a brief meeting yesterday.

Another connection: Carney’s brother Sean is also the chief operating officer at Kensington Palace.

The King and Queen are now meeting and greeting people in the Senate chamber.

There are several former prime ministers present, including Justin Trudeau who is there with his mother Margaret Trudeau.

When Charles greeted the pair, Margaret Trudeau gave him the French double kiss on both cheeks. It was a warm embrace from a former prime minister's wife and the mother of another — who would have met the King when he was young and still the Prince of Wales.

Another Trudeau moment, so to speak, are the shoes Justin Trudeau is wearing: a pair of blue and orange suede Adidas Gazelle sneakers.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have just sat down on the thrones inside the Senate chamber. The King will read the throne speech shortly.

As much as the throne speech is first and foremost a speech to Canadians, there is little doubt this particular speech was written knowing it will be watched and parsed beyond our borders.

There’s significant interest in the U.K. in this Canadian visit by Charles and Camilla, according to Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert and lecturer in law at Royal Holloway, University of London.

“Today’s speech from the throne is being covered by all the major media, and will be carried live by the news channels, which is not normally the case,” Prescott told me.

“The interest comes from seeing the King in such a politically charged environment, and from the U.K.’s perspective, seeing how the King will balance his role as King of Canada with his role as King of the U.K.”

Now that the King is in the Senate, eyes will turn to the Usher of the Black Rod.

The Usher is the King's messenger in Parliament and is also responsible for Senate security and other ceremonial and administrative duties. The job originated in England in 1348.

Former RCMP superintendent Greg Peters has served in the role in Canada since 2013. The job title derives from the ebony rod he carries, which is a symbol of royal authority.

Peters will be sent to the House of Commons to summon the MPs. But when he arrives at the House he will find the doors shut — again due to the idea of parliamentary independence and the King being barred from the House.

The Usher will use the base of the rod to knock three times on the doors and ask permission to enter. He will then tell the MPs that the King requests their presence in the Senate for the throne speech. Most MPs will then follow Peters out and begin to make the trek to the Senate building.

Traditionally, it’s a short jaunt down the halls of Centre Block. But due to ongoing renovations the upper chamber has a temporary home at the Senate of Canada building — Ottawa’s former train station, which is just down Wellington Street from the Parliament buildings.

With King Charles III set to open the 45th session of Canada’s Parliament and deliver the throne speech, Eli Glasner explains the protocol along with the history, pomp and ceremony surrounding the event, including why the Usher of the Black Rod is so important.

Hi folks, I’m a senior writer with the politics team in Ottawa. I’m also a bit of a parliamentary history nerd, so I’m here to walk you through a few traditions.

King Charles (or usually the Governor General) will read the throne speech in the Senate, not the House of Commons. Why? Because they aren’t allowed into the House.

The last King who did enter the British Commons chamber lost his head … literally.

This tradition dates back to the 17th century. In 1642, King Charles I entered the British House of Commons with an armed guard seeking to arrest a number of MPs. This incident, in part, led to the English Civil War — a conflict between the Crown and Parliament.

Parliamentary forces ultimately won the war and Charles I was beheaded. The monarchy was restored, but Parliament maintained the power to pass laws — a tradition Canada has inherited.

Barring the monarch and their representatives from entering the House is a symbol of parliamentary supremacy and independence.

The King has arrived at the Senate ahead of the throne speech.

He and Camilla travelled by horse-drawn carriage in a parade through downtown Ottawa. He inspected the guard after receiving a royal salute and a guard of honour from the Royal Canadian Regiment; he is the unit’s commander-in-chief.

The monarch was greeted by a performance from the Ottawa River Singers, a First Nations drum group.