COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – A moment in history: King Charles III delivers Canada’s throne speech

On Tuesday, we witnessed a moment in history. The throne speech marks the formal opening of a new parliamentary session (in this case, the 45th parliamentary session), outlining the government’s legislative priorities for this upcoming session. The event sets the tone for the months or years ahead. Instead of the prime minister or an elected official delivering the speech, it is the Crown—the non-partisan, head of state.

In Canada, King Charles III is the head of state. The elected prime minister is the head of government. The head of state has important constitutional responsibilities, different from the head of government. As Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the Governor General usually delivers the speech, acting as the King’s representative. This practice has been followed since Confederation, reflecting the unique Canadian balance between tradition and self-governance.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla travelled along Wellington Street in front of our Parliament buildings in a horsedrawn carriage, in view of the Senate building where King Charles would read the speech from the throne. This is the Queen and King’s first visit since their coronation as King on Sept. 8, 2022. King Charles was the first king in Canada’s history to deliver the Speech from the Throne, and this was only the third time a monarch has done so. The King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the first and second in 1957 and 1977.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Canada 22 times during her historic 70-year reign and gave the speech from the throne twice, exemplifying moments of deep symbolism in Canadian history.

So, what did it mean when King Charles delivered the throne speech himself? It marked an emblematic gesture of his relationship with Canada as our monarch.

This moment also reinforced the Crown’s continuing role in Canada’s parliamentary democracy. The King’s presence reminds Canadians that the Crown exists as a symbol of unity, stability, and continuity. As Canada wrestles with internal divisions—regional, political, and cultural—the symbolic power of a unifying figurehead cannot be overlooked.

It also reminds us that the monarchy is not foreign. The King is not a visitor; he is Canada’s sovereign. His personal participation in the Canadian Throne Speech underlined that our constitutional monarchy is a living institution embedded in Canada’s identity and governance.

It was reported that some people claimed spots along Wellington as early as 5 am to get a glimpse of royalty. In the next several hours, crowds continued to file behind those early arrivals. It was indeed a moment of public engagement.

When King Charles delivered the throne speech, it was an instant that modelled our history and our future walking together.

In his closing remarks, King Charles recited the Canadian anthem, reminding us: The true north is indeed strong and free!