King Charles III defended Canada against President Trump’s threats to make the country America’s 51st state — declaring in a rare speech to Parliament on Tuesday that the Great White North is facing “unprecedented” challenges to its “freedom and democracy.”
Charles, who serves as Canada’s head of state, was invited by the country’s liberal prime minister following Trump’s repeated suggestions that the US annex its neighbor.
“We must face reality: Since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,” Charles said to the parliament in French.
The 76-year-old is the first British monarch in almost 50 years to preside over the opening of a new Canadian parliament.
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them,” he added.
Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Canada on Monday at the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney to address Canadians from parliament in Ottawa.
The king delivered what is called Canada’s Speech from the Throne on Tuesday at around 11 a.m. ET, setting out the newly elected Carney’s goals for the upcoming parliamentary session.
Charles’ appearance “underscores the sovereignty of Canada,” Carney told reporters.
King Charles didn’t refer to Trump by name, but talked about US-Canadian relations in his speech.
“Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians,” Charles said, reading from a prepared speech.
“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 US, rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations,” he added.
This marks Charles’ 20th visit to Canada but his first time delivering the throne speech, which opens each session of Parliament.
His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last delivered the speech in Ottawa in 1977, also reading it in 1957.
As the speech began, Britain’s king sat in a golden throne as Carney sat in a smaller chair alongside him.
“This is emasculating for Mark Carney, worse than the Trump meeting. ‘The commoners may now enter the chamber,’” one Canadian wrote on X.
“It’s absolutely pathetic. A ‘foreign’ dignitary that’s as idiotic as Carney. Nobody cares about the monarchy,” a second X user wrote.
“Canada will be the 51st State and Carney knows that,” a third user wrote.
Trump later insisted on Truth Social that the Great White North was “considering” his offer.
“I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State,” he wrote, without directly mentioning the king’s speech.
“They are considering the offer!”
Meanwhile, Charles was given full military honors in Ottawa, including a 21-gun salute, a 100-person guard of honor from Mounties, and a royal salute.
“God save the King!” one onlooker was heard yelling at Charles as he strolled the streets of the Canadian capital, CTV reported.
The king, bedecked in medals, was given an official escort to the Senate in a black and purple chariot used to carry top dignitaries during ceremonial events.
He was accompanied by Camilla, who wore a matching dark blue top and hat.
On Monday, Queen Camilla was sworn in as a member of the King’s Privy Council, providing her “with a constitutional role as an advisor to His Majesty on Canadian affairs,” a press release about the ceremony read.Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also pictured on Tuesday at the Senate ahead of King Charles’ speech.
He made the bizarre sartorial choice to wear turquoise sneakers with orange stripes along with a suit for the state opening of parliament.