King Charles and Queen Camilla will embark on a two-day official visit to Canada from Monday, 26 May to Tuesday, 27 May 2025, marking the King’s first visit to the country as Sovereign. The trip underscores the enduring relationship between the Crown and Canada while offering moments of tradition, ceremony, and national reflection.y
The royal tour will begin in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, where Their Majesties will attend a community celebration designed to highlight the country’s cultural richness and diversity. The event will feature performances and displays representing Indigenous, Francophone, and multicultural communities, offering the King and Queen a meaningful opportunity to meet Canadians from across the country and from a wide range of organizations.
The King will then hold formal audiences with Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney, reflecting Canada’s constitutional monarchy framework and the monarch’s ceremonial role in governance. These meetings will take place in the historic surroundings of Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General.
Later in the day, a swearing-in ceremony will see Queen Camilla formally inducted into the Canadian Privy Council, a symbolic moment reflecting her integration into Canada’s political traditions.
Following the ceremony, Their Majesties will participate in a tree-planting ceremony on the grounds of Rideau Hall, planting a new tree near the site of the sugar maple they planted during their 2017 tour. The act continues a long-standing royal tradition and serves as a living tribute to the continuity of the relationship between Canada and the Crown.
The first day will conclude with a reception at Rideau Hall attended by Lieutenant Governors from all ten provinces and Territorial Commissioners from Canada’s three territories. The gathering is both ceremonial and symbolic, highlighting the Crown’s link to provincial and territorial leadership across Canada’s vast geography.
On Tuesday, 27 May, the King, in his role as Head of State of Canada, will participate in the State Opening of Parliament—a rare and significant moment in Canadian constitutional history.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, King Charles will arrive at Parliament Hill amid ceremonial fanfare and military honours. Inside the Senate Chamber, the King will deliver the Speech from the Throne, setting out the Canadian government’s agenda for the upcoming session. This will mark only the second time a reigning monarch has opened a session of Canada’s Parliament—the first being Queen Elizabeth II in 1957—and only the third time a sovereign has personally delivered the throne speech.
The event is expected to draw national attention and highlight the unique structure of Canada’s constitutional democracy, where the monarchy plays a ceremonial but significant role.
Before departing Canada, Their Majesties will pay tribute to the nation’s fallen soldiers with a solemn visit to the National War Memorial. There, they will lay a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honouring the sacrifices made by members of the Canadian Armed Forces throughout history. The act of remembrance will serve as a poignant close to a visit rich in ceremony, reflection, and unity.
While brief, the visit carries substantial symbolic weight. It offers a glimpse into the evolving role of the monarchy in a modern, multicultural Canada and reaffirms the long-standing constitutional ties between the two nations.
As Canadians gather to witness these events, many will view the tour as a moment to reflect not only on tradition and heritage, but also on the future of the monarchy in Canada’s national life.
About the Author
