King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, arrived in Canada today for the state opening of the parliament in Ottawa, and a royal fan claims she met the monarch when he was previously in the country
A woman who claims to have met King Charles during one of his visits to Canada said one surprising thing ‘impressed’ her about the monarch. Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, arrived in the North American nation today (May 26) for the state opening of the parliament in Ottawa.
The visit is considered a show of support for the country and its new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. It comes after Canada found itself in a trade war with the US under President Donald Trump. “This is a big deal for the King to do this,” said former Canadian high commissioner to the UK, Jeremy Kinsman.
However, this is not the first time Charles has crossed the pond to visit Canada. State visits are frequent to Commonwealth countries, and with Canada having joined as an independent state in 1931, senior members of the Royal Family are known to make regular visits.
His Majesty first went to Canada in 1970, at the age of 21, a post to the Royal Family’s official X account reveals.
“Alongside Queen Elizabeth II, The late Duke of Edinburgh and The Princess Royal, they celebrated the Centennial of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories in Canada,” it said, alongside images of the now-76-year-old monarch in his youth.
Commenting on the post, one woman recalled how she reportedly met the King during this visit and shared one thing that ‘impressed’ her.
“I met him that day in Winnipeg,” X user Janet Miller said. “Being the same age I was so impressed with his composure and the genuine joy he took in meeting people, even then.”
The visit will see the King become the first monarch to open Canada’s parliament in almost 70 years and will issue a speech in honour of the occasion.
The last person to do so was Queen Elizabeth II, who opened the parliament in 1957. She also delivered the most recent “speech from the throne” in 1977, marking the start of a parliamentary session.
It comes as tensions between Canada and their southern neighbour reach an all-time high.
Carney was elected following the resignation of long-standing former PM Justin Trudeau amid a wave of anti-Trump sentiment after the American president slapped an additional tariff of 25% on goods imported from Canada.
The president has also repeatedly expressed a desire to make Canada the 51st US state. Charles’ visit to the nation and impending speech are said to show support for the country.
“I hope that Trump understands,” Kinsman, who was a diplomat with the King back when he was the Prince of Wales, added
“It’s going to be very affirmative of Canadian sovereignty. And I can say personally that it’s something that King Charles will celebrate saying. I have no doubt.”
Kinsman predicts Charles’ speech will reaffirm the government’s desire to protect Canada’s sovereignty as an independent state.
