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Ten years ago, a portrait of the Queen caused political controversy in Canada. Today, Canada is inviting King Charles III to give the Throne Speech. So, what changed?
In 2011, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted to highlight Canada’s connection to the British monarchy. He replaced two paintings by a Quebec artist with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Many Canadians thought this was outdated. Canada has been slowly moving away from British rule since becoming a country 157 years ago, although it’s still part of the Commonwealth.
When Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took power in 2015, he put the Quebec paintings back up and removed the Queen’s portrait.
Now, in 2025, something unexpected is happening. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited King Charles III to open Canada’s 45th Parliament.
This is meant as a strong symbol of Canada’s independence from the United States, especially after President Donald Trump suggested Canada would be better off as America’s 51st state.
Canadian royal expert Justin Vovk said this move is a “theatrical display” to show that Canada is not the same as the U.S. While both countries were once British colonies, America cut ties with the Crown nearly 250 years ago. Canada’s break has been slower and less complete. Canada still uses a system of government based on the British model, and the King is still officially Canada’s head of state, although his duties are mostly done by Canada’s governor general.
Historian Carolyn Harris said that in the 1800s, loyalty to the Crown helped Canadian leaders keep distance from the U.S. But that began to change in the 1960s, when Quebec started pushing for its own identity. Prime Ministers like Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau (Justin’s father) worked to reduce British influence. In 1982, Pierre Trudeau made Canada’s constitution fully Canadian, no longer needing British approval.
Even though Canada stayed a constitutional monarchy, the way each prime minister treated the monarchy has varied. Carney’s choice to invite King Charles suggests he plans to show more support for the monarchy than past Liberal leaders.
No British monarch has given Canada’s throne speech since 1977 or opened a new session of Parliament since 1957. So, King Charles’s visit is rare and important.
Carney has been very vocal against Trump. Trump has hurt Canada with tariffs and by questioning its independence. Carney said the King’s visit is a “historic honour” that proves Canada is a sovereign nation.
Still, most Canadians today don’t feel strongly about the monarchy. Some even dislike it. King Charles’s 2023 coronation led to criticism about how the Crown treated Indigenous people. Quebec’s separatist party, the Bloc Québécois, wants to remove the law requiring elected officials to swear loyalty to the King.
Historian Vovk said the royal visit is mainly about sending a message. It shows Canada’s independence, but also appeals to Trump, who admires the British monarchy.
It also strengthens Canada’s ties to Europe. Carney, a former Bank of England chief, wants Canada to build stronger relationships outside the U.S.
For King Charles, this will be his first visit to Canada as monarch. He and Queen Camilla were supposed to come last year but cancelled due to his cancer diagnosis. The palace said the King’s speech will be an important moment between him and Canadians.
The visit will be short—just Monday to Tuesday—but the palace said it hopes it will still be meaningful.
Source: BBC
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