King Charles on Tuesday expressed his affection for Canada, calling it “strong and free,” as he emphasised the nation’s sovereignty throughout a symbolic go to aimed toward displaying help amid annexation remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Charles, Canada’s head of state, is the primary British monarch in virtually 70 years to preside over the opening of the Canadian parliament.
In a speech within the Senate, Charles referred to “the country that Canadians and I love so much” however made no direct reference to Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian exports and muses about turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state.
“The True North is indeed strong and free,” Charles mentioned, referring to the Canadian nationwide anthem.
The speech outlining the federal government’s plans for the subsequent session was largely written by officers working for Prime Minister Mark Carney. But Charles was answerable for the feedback about his love for Canada.
“Every time I come to Canada … a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight to my heart,” mentioned the monarch, accompanied by his spouse, Queen Camilla.
Charles, who joked and laughed with Carney earlier than the speech, wore the Order of Canada round his neck.
He and Camilla had been pushed to the Senate in a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by 28 riders from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and cheered on by flag-waving onlookers. Charles then inspected an honor guard, all clad in shiny pink uniforms.
An Ipsos Reid ballot launched Tuesday for Global News discovered that 66% of respondents believed Canada’s relationship with the monarchy was helpful as a result of it helped set the nation aside from the United States, up from 54% in April 2023.
In the speech, the federal government reiterated its perception that Canada must agree on a brand new relationship with the U.S. and search for extra dependable buying and selling companions.
The heat welcome for the royal couple contrasted with a go to to Australia final October, when an Indigenous senator heckled Charles in Parliament House, accusing him of “genocide.”
Australia has lengthy debated the necessity to hold a distant monarch. A 1999 referendum in Australia on turning into a republic misplaced with 55% of voters opposed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and far of his center-left Labor occasion help the republican trigger.
The monarchy is just not typically a significant component in Canadian day by day life, although cash and financial institution notes function the monarch’s head and the nation is defended by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy.
A ballot from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute launched on Tuesday confirmed 83% of Canadians say they had been detached or didn’t care concerning the monarch’s historic go to.
Source: www.dailysabah.com