Britain’s King Charles is set to attend the state opening of parliament in Ottawa, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday.
The move underscores a strong gesture of allegiance to Canada, a former British colony where he remains the ceremonial head of state.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the monarch will visit Canada from May 26 to May 27, according to the palace statement.
His appearance follows a recent reaffirmation of his role as King of Canada, a nation that United States President, Donald Trump, has openly expressed interest in.
This will mark King Charles’ second international journey this year. Earlier, he traveled to Italy, where he had a private audience with Pope Francis shortly before the pope’s passing.
The presence of the royal family in Canada frequently uplifts national spirit and draws global interest.
Analysts believe the upcoming visit will serve to reinforce Canada’s image as a democratic and multicultural constitutional monarchy, an especially timely message amid the growing tides of populism and protectionism worldwide.
“At a time when US relations are strained, this visit sends a strong message about Canada’s sovereignty and its foundational ties to the Crown,” said Dr. Emily Fraser, a constitutional historian at the University of Toronto.
