OTTAWA — King Charles III will deliver the speech from the throne this morning in Ottawa, laying out the government’s agenda and giving Canadian sovereignty a boost in the midst of a trade war with the United States.

King Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to the Senate building in a carriage drawn by 28 horses from the RCMP’s Musical Ride. At 10:15 a.m., King Charles will receive full military honours, including a 100-person guard of honour and a 21-gun salute. Then, at 11 a.m. King Charles will open the 45th Parliament with the speech from the throne.

It is the first time a Canadian monarch has done so since Queen Elizabeth opened Parliament in 1977. After the speech, just before noon, the royal couple will visit the the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then head back to the United Kingdom, after spending just about 24 hours in Canada. It is the couple’s first visit to Canada since Charles became King.

With the visit, the King and Queen are sending a clear message in support of Canadian sovereignty, said Thomas Morin-Cabana, the national chairman of The Crown Society of Canada.

“It’s all about symbolism,” said Morin-Cabana.

More to come.

National Post

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