Alert – King Charles latest updates: Monarch declares Canada is ‘strong and free’ amid Donald Trump’s threat to make nation America’s ’51st state’

King Charles and Queen Camilla shared a sweet moment before they boarded their flight.

Dressed in matching navy blue outfits, the pair shared a humorous moment as they chatted on the red carpet before climbing the stairs and jetting home from their two-day Canadian visit.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen boarding a Government of Canada flight at the Ottawa International Airport after their official visit today.

Queen Camilla, wearing a navy blue crepe silk embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, a matching hat by Philip Treacy and carried a navy blue Chanel bag, looked on proudly as Charles gave his speech to the parliament.

She also sported her own Canadian Rifles brooch as the regiment’s colonel in chief, with a pearl and diamond choker.

The King has warned Canada is facing a ‘critical moment’ in its history, with the world a ‘more dangerous and uncertain place’ in a speech to open the nation’s parliament.

Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration would bond with ‘reliable trading partners and allies’, a move that follows Donald Trump’s economic tactics.

Many Canadians have seen the King’s two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump’s trade war against his neighbour and threats to annex Canada.

Charles told the parliament ‘self-determination’ was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was ‘determined to protect’.

Amid pomp and pageantry not seen in Canada for more than half a century, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the country’s Parliament today with a powerful – and at times defiant – message for President Trump.

In a ‘Speech from the Throne’ – made of wood from a Windsor oak, no less – Charles, 76, spoke of his ‘deep pride and pleasure’ at witnessing ‘Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope’.

He also highlighted the country’s ’unique identity’ and made clear in the strongest possible terms – within the remits of his role as a constitutional monarch, of course – of his personal pride that ‘the Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada’.

While he cannot publicly comment on recent threats by the US President to annexe Canada and make it America’s ‘51st state’, his decision to accept the invitation at such short notice was seen as strong gesture of unity, and the red carpet has been rolled out.

Indeed it is only the second time a King or Queen of Canada has ever opened Parliament, the last being his late mother in 1958.

It was clear that the King had added a strong personal touch to his speech.He said: ‘This is my twentieth visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as Sovereign. As I have said before, “Every time I come to Canada… a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight to my heart.”

John Ralston Saul, Adrienne Clarkson and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak listened while the King delivered his speech to the Canadian National Parliament.

Following his speech the King made sure to speak to Ms Nepinak as he made his way to a waiting car.

Charles and Camilla laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial

The King and Queen later took part in a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial as their tour of Canada came to a close.

The royal couple and the gathered crowds observed a minute’s silence, standing still as the murmur of distant voices was heard.

Charles left a floral tribute at the tomb of the unknown soldier with the handwritten note: ‘In eternal memory’, while Camilla placed a bouquet which had a card which read: ‘Lest we forget’.

The King acknowledged a royal salute from a guard of honour before four jets roared overhead in a fly-past from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Amid pomp and pageantry not seen in Canada for more than half a century, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the country’s Parliament today with a powerful – and at times defiant – message for President Trump.

In a ‘Speech from the Throne’ – made of wood from a Windsor oak, no less – Charles, 76, spoke of his ‘deep pride and pleasure’ at witnessing ‘Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope’.

He also highlighted the country’s ‘unique identity’ and made clear in the strongest possible terms – within the remits of his role as a constitutional monarch, of course – of his personal pride that ‘the Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada’.

Read more here:

Here’s some full quotes on what King Charles said about Canada as he described how he held the ‘greatest admiration’ for the nation’s ‘unique identity’.

He said:

This is my twentieth visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as Sovereign. As I have said before, “Every time I come to Canada… a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight to my heart.” I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognised across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.

It has been nearly seventy years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament. In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its Constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation.

Significantly, he concluded:

The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.

When my dear late mother addressed your predecessors seven decades ago, she said that in that age, and against the backdrop of international affairs, no nation could live unto itself. It is a source of great pride that, in the following decades, Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good.

by Rebecca English, Royal Editor

In a ‘Speech from the Throne’ – made of wood from a Windsor oak, no less – Charles, 76, spoke of his ‘deep pride and pleasure’ at witnessing ‘Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope’.

He also highlighted the country’s ’unique identity’ and made clear in the strongest possible terms – within the remits of his role as a constitutional monarch, of course – of his personal pride that ‘the Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada’.

Introduced to Parliament as The King of Canada, many MPs looked visibly  moved – some even broke into impromptu cries of ‘God Save The King’ – as he walked into their Senate building.

Charles had been invited by the country’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to formally open the new session of parliament in what is widely being interpreted as sign that Canadian sovereignty is not for sale.

While he cannot publicly comment on recent threats by the US President to annex Canada and make it America’s ‘51st state’, his decision to accept the invitation at such short notice was seen as strong gesture of unity, and the red carpet has been rolled out.

King Charles has finished his address to the Canadian parliament after speaking for about 30 minutes.

In his speech, he began by outlining his fondness for Canada which he said ‘seeps into his heart’.

He then outlined Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priorities which included Canada’s new relationship with the US under Donald Trump’s presidency.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates and reaction to the King’s speech.

King Charles has made a nod to Donald Trump’s tariffs as he told the Canadian parliament the system of global trade is changing.

He says:

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 are also changing.

He said while Canada is facing unprecedented challenges which has left many feeling ‘anxious’, there are also opportunities ahead.

Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity. An opportunity for renewal. An opportunity to think big and to act bigger.

An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War.

Turning to the relationship between Canada and the US, King Charles says Mark Carney and Donald Trump have begun ‘defining a new economic and security relationship’.

He adds the bond between the neighbouring nations is ‘rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations’.

The King has declared Canada faces a ‘critical moment’ as he vowed to protect values of importance to Canadians.

He says Canada has managed to navigate through several ‘epoch-making events’ since the end of the Second World War – listing the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the start of the ‘War on Terror’.

He said despite global threats, Canada has emerged as a growing economic power and a force for peace in the world.

He says:

Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect.

King Charles has said the Crown has long been a ‘symbol of unity for Canada’

He said.

It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present, as it should. It stands proudly as a symbol of Canada. Today, in all her richness and dynamism.

He says he also has the ‘greatest admiration’ for Canada’s ‘unique identity’ and the country’s ‘bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values’.

King Charles has started to deliver his speech in Canada’s parliament.

He starts by saying it’s the 20th time he has visited Canada, the first as monarch, and that every time he comes the country he becomes more attached

Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and straight to my heart.

We will bring you live udpates when we can

Queen Camilla was wearing a navy blue crepe silk embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, a navy blue hat by Philip Treacy and a navy blue Chanel bag.

She also sported her own Canadian Rifles brooch as the regiment’s colonel in chief, and a pearl and diamond choker.

The King was wearing a lounge suit with medals and his Order of Canada around his.

Aides said the Queen’s great-great-great grandfather, Sir Allan Napier MacNab, was leading Canadian politician who led the ‘province of Canada’ as it was then known.

Take a look inside the Canadian Senate building in Ottawa where King Charles will deliver a speech from the Throne.

We will bring you live updates from the address.

King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Canada yesterday on a whirlwind visit, which is being billed as a message to President Trump that ‘Canada is not for sale’.

The couple arrived for an historic visit to the country’s capital – the first by Charles as its head of state – to formally open parliament this morning.

It will be the first time that a sovereign has undertaken the honour for 58 years and comes as Canadians are voicing their outrage at the US President’s suggestion that Canada could become American’s ’51st state’.

Read all about the royal's first day in Canada here:

This was the scene before the king arrived as crowds of Canadians waited to greet him ahead his speech at the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa.

The monarch’s address has been described as a n ‘honour’ by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor.

Former Canadian premier Justin Trudeau was pictured arriving at the Senate to hear the King’s speech at the state opening of parliament.

His resignation in January paved the way for Mark Carney to take over as leader following a victory in the country’s elections in April.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the King’s speech today as an ‘historic honour that matches the weight of our times’.

His address as the King of Canada comes at a time when Canadian sovereignity has been called into question by US President Donald Trump.

An experienced diplomat on the world stage, Charles will be all too aware his words will be pored over when he speaks later this morning.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, greeted them at the Senate building alongside a Royal Salute from a magnificent 100-person guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment and a 21-gun salute.

The Royal Salute is a formal military honour reserved for members of the Royal Family or heads of state.

The King will be invited to inspect the guard before entering into the Senate, lead by The Usher of the Black Rod.After introductions, the King will give his Speech from the Throne to officially open the 45th Parliament, outlining his government’s agenda and priorities much like in the UK.

It will be only the third time the Canadian monarch has read the  speech, with the honour normally falling to the Governor General, their official representative in Canada.

Queen Elizabeth previously gave the speech in 1957 and 1977.While the King does not write the speech himself – that is a matter for his government – he does intend to weave more personal elements into it reflecting on his affection for the country.

Organisers also say indigenous elements will be incorporated throughout the Speech from the Throne, representing the three distinct groups in Canada: First. Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Amid pomp and pageantry not seen for more than half a century, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Canada’s Parliament today.

Their Majesties were escorted in a horse-drawn landau and met by a Royal Salute from a 100-strong Guard of Honour at the Ottawa Senate building.

The event is the highlight of the couple’s whirlwind visit to the North American nation, Charles’ first as king.

He was invited by the country’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to formally open the new session of parliament in what is widely being interpreted as sign from Canada that its sovereignty is not for sale.

As a constitutional monarch, King Charles cannot publicly comment on recent threats by US President Donald Trump to ‘annexe’ Canada and make it American’s ‘51st state’.

But his decision to accept the invitation to attend parliament’s state opening at such short notice – only the second time a King or Queen of Canada has ever done so, the last being his late mother in 1958 –  is seen by Canadians as strong gesture of unity, and the red carpet is being duly rolled out.

King Charles waves to crowds during his visit to Ottawa

Hello and welcome to ‘s live coverage as King Charles makes history by becoming only the second British monarch to give the address at the state opening of the Canadian parliament.

Charles’ second day in the capital Ottawa will see him follow the precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and open the first session of the 45th parliament.

The King will be delivering the words of the Canadian government, similar to a UK State opening of parliament, but observers will be looking for any veiled references to US President Donald Trump.

Canada has faced the unwanted attention of Trump who has launched a trade war against his neighbour and made threats to annex the country as America’s 51st state.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates from the King’s speech from our Royal Editor Rebecca English in Ottawa and Jamie Bullen reporting in London.