He reiterated, “It will say the government will protect, pursue and preserve the sovereignty of Canada as an independent state.”

Although Canada gained partial independence through the British North America Act in 1867 and made further strides after both World Wars, full sovereignty only came in 1982 with the adoption of its own constitution.

Still, Canada remains an integral member of the Commonwealth, with King Charles III acting as the symbolic head of state.

The King and Queen Consort share meaningful ties to Canada. Sean Carney, the brother of Prime Minister Carney, serves as an aide to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Additionally, Queen Camilla has notable Canadian ancestry—her great-great-great-grandfather, Sir Allan Napier MacNab, co-led the Province of Canada in the 1850s.

Donald Trump has on several occasions hinted at annexing Canada, even referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor,” suggesting he views Canada as little more than another American state.

The election of Mark Carney was widely seen as a reflection of the country’s firm opposition to Trump. In response to Trump’s rhetoric, Carney made it clear that Canada was “not for sale.”

Their Majesties the King and Queen Consort are scheduled to be in Ottawa from Monday (May 26) through Tuesday (May 27). This marks King Charles’s first visit to Canada since ascending the throne.

During the visit, the King will meet with Governor General and Prime Minister Carney, and there will be a ceremony formally welcoming the Queen Consort into the Canadian privy council.

Together, the royal couple will attend the state opening of parliament, where King Charles will deliver a speech from the throne in the Senate Chamber.

This event will mark only the second time a reigning monarch has opened a session of the Canadian parliament—the first being Queen Elizabeth II in October 1957—and just the third occasion a sovereign has delivered a throne speech in Canada.