Britain’s King Charles III outlined new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government priorities at the country’s Parliament on Tuesday in what is being seen as a show of support in the face of President Donald Trump’s threats to annex America’s neighbor.
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling,” he said in the speech, switching between English and French.
The country faces another “critical moment,” he said.
“Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values that Canadians hold dear and one which the government is determined to protect,” Charles said. “The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with partners is also changing.”
Charles said Carney and Trump “have begun defining a new economic and security relationship,” adding that it was “rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.”
Charles, still undergoing cancer treatment, is the nonpartisan head of state in Canada — a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies — but he did not write the speech. Instead, he read what was presented to him by Canada’s government in the country’s capital, Ottawa.
Among them was former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who wore green and orange sneakers with his suit.
“Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there straight to my heart,” Charles said. “I’ve always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defense of national values and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”
Concluding his speech, Charles praised Canada as a “force for good” in the world.
“As the anthem reminds us: The true north is indeed strong and free,” he said, earning a round of applause from lawmakers.
Before the speech, Charles was taken to the Senate of Canada Building in a horse-drawn carriage with Queen Camilla. There, he received the Royal Salute from the 100-person guard of honor from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment before he entered the chamber.
Charles also met Monday with Carney and Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous governor general, who is the king’s representative to the country.
Canadians are largely indifferent to the royal family, and it is rare for the monarch to deliver what is known as the Speech from the Throne. The last time was in 1977, when Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, read it for only the second time in her 70-year reign.
But Carney, who won a party race to become prime minister in March before he secured victory in Canada’s election last month by vowing to stand up Trump, said in a statement Monday that Charles’ visit spoke “to the vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity, and to the historic ties that crises only fortify.”
It was a change in tone from earlier this month, when he criticized Britain’s invitation to Trump for a second state visit, saying it undermined his government’s effort to project a united front against Trump’s talk of annexing Canada.
Since he took office in January, Trump has repeatedly said he wants Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, a suggestion that has angered Canadians and left the U.K. trying to tread a fine line between the two North American countries.
Charles has also made a number of symbolic gestures in recent months, wearing Canadian medals, planting a maple tree and referring to himself as the king of Canada.
Even so, Carney this month told British broadcaster Sky News, NBC News’ international partner, that Canadians “weren’t impressed” by Trump’s invitation to the palace.
“It was at a time when we were being quite clear about the issues around sovereignty,” he said.
Charles will return to the U.K. later Tuesday, after the speech and a visit to Canada’s National War Memorial.
