Ottawa, May 28, 2025 — In a historic address to the Canadian Parliament, King Charles III emphasized Canada’s sovereignty and resilience in the face of unprecedented global challenges. His speech comes amid provocative statements from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the annexation of Canada as the 51st state.
“We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,” King Charles stated in French, acknowledging the anxieties felt by many Canadians due to the rapidly changing global landscape.
The King’s visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, marks a rare occasion where a monarch delivers the speech from the throne in Canada. This gesture is widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of Canada’s independence and a response to President Trump’s recent comments.
President Trump, via social media, proposed that Canada could avoid a $61 billion fee to join the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense program by becoming a U.S. state, asserting that “they are considering the offer.”
Prime Minister Carney has dismissed these suggestions, emphasizing Canada’s unique identity and its commitment to sovereignty. He has also advocated for diversifying trade partnerships, noting that over 75% of Canada’s exports currently go to the U.S.
King Charles highlighted Canada’s evolution since his mother’s first parliamentary address in 1957, noting its growth into a bilingual, multicultural nation that has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots. He concluded by reaffirming Canada’s strength and freedom, stating, “The True North is indeed strong and free.”
This address underscores the enduring relationship between Canada and the monarchy and serves as a symbolic affirmation of Canada’s autonomy amid external pressures.
