OTTAWA — In a historic and symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially invited King Charles III to open the 45th Canadian Parliament, marking a notable shift in Canada’s evolving relationship with the British monarchy.
The invitation, extended in 2025, comes amidst increasing diplomatic tension between Canada and the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to officials familiar with the matter, the move is intended to underscore Canada’s sovereignty and independent political identity on the global stage.
The ceremony is expected to take place in Ottawa, with the King delivering the Speech from the Throne, traditionally outlining the government’s priorities at the start of a new parliamentary session.
This development reflects a stark contrast to the 2011 controversy when then-Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper drew criticism for reinstating a royal portrait in federal buildings — replacing artwork by a Quebec painter. The decision ignited debate over the relevance of the monarchy in modern Canadian identity.
That portrait was later removed by Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015, signaling a more muted approach to the monarchy’s presence in Canada’s public institutions.
Now, a Liberal government once again, led by Mark Carney, is embracing a royal presence — this time not as a symbol of colonial legacy, but as a statement of political autonomy amid external pressures.
The decision has been met with mixed public reactions. While some view it as a strategic diplomatic move, others see it as a reversion to outdated traditions. However, government sources emphasize that the invitation reflects Canada’s constitutional structure, where the monarchy plays a ceremonial, non-political role
