King Charles looked and sounded like he was reading Canada a comforting bedtime story.
In many ways, that鈥檚 exactly what he did on Tuesday. His Majesty was in Ottawa to deliver the Speech From the Throne. Normally, the start of a new session of Parliament is about as scintillating as an instalment of “Canada Vignettes.” This year is different. Canadians are on edge.
Threats of annexation. Idiotic tariffs. American betrayal.
So give the King high marks for calming us down with lines such as, 鈥淭he True North is indeed strong and free.鈥 The rapturous applause that followed felt cathartic. It’s what we needed to hear.
I hope Donald Trump was watching, even if the political protocols and breaches of royal etiquette would baffle him more than a telenovela without subtitles: Why is the Usher of the Black Rod summoning MPs by banging on wooden doors with the tip of an ornate staff that looks like it came from Hogwarts? Did Margaret Trudeau just greet the King with air kisses on both cheeks? Why is former Governor General Micha毛lle Jean dragging the King across the Senate floor by his hand like he鈥檚 a toddler lost inside Dairy Queen?
Here鈥檚 what Trump will understand: King Charles stands on guard for Canada.
King Charles III said Canada is facing unprecedented challenges in a world that's never been more dangerous as he opened the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday with a speech widely viewed as a show of support in the face of annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Video / May 27, 2025)
With the exception of the preamble, the speech was written by the PMO. No matter. The King delivered every word with a subtle passion he usually reserves for red squirrels. PM Mark Carney sat to his right, looking chuffed throughout. Queen Camilla was perched on a throne to his left. She glanced around, probably wondering why nobody else was wearing a hat.
But the elephant in the Red Chamber was Donald Trump.
鈥淭oday, Canada faces another critical moment,鈥 said King Charles. 鈥淒emocracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear 鈥 and ones which the government is determined to protect.鈥
If not fighting words, those were words of conviction. Trump admires the Royal Family. He idolizes King Charles because he wants to be a king. It鈥檚 why the White House is tricked out as a castle, one that reflects his tacky and vulgar tastes.
Can we stick more gold leaf around my mug shot?
Trump shrugged when Justin Trudeau balked at becoming governor of the 鈥51st state鈥 because he despised our former PM. He won鈥檛 shrug after King Charles delivers a forceful message about Canadian sovereignty. He鈥檒l think twice about running his yap about merging with Canada if there鈥檚 any chance such blather might jeopardize his next state visit to the U.K.
Before King Charles entered the antechamber 鈥 it鈥檚 a miracle he didn鈥檛 tip over given the number of medals pinned to his chest 鈥 the look in his eyes said, 鈥淚 got this, Canada.鈥
That look returned when he spoke of fundamental change as both unsettling and an opportunity for renewal: 鈥淎 confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.鈥
The pointed subtext for Trump: Canada gonna Canada with or without America.
King Charles delivered the government's speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa, reminding Canadians they have much to be proud of while acknowledging the anxieties and difficult issues facing the world. Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the King to read the speech in a symbolic gesture as Canada reasserts its sovereignty. (May 27, 2025 / The Canadian Press)
In crossing the pond to be the wingman for Ottawa, King Charles cast himself as a superhero ready to rumble with that supervillain in the red hat.
Many Canadians are ambivalent toward the monarchy. Many favour a conscious uncoupling. But Tuesday was proof we need to strengthen our Commonwealth ties so long as a Mad King in Washington keeps making noises about metabolizing our national identity to satisfy his delusional quest for empire.
We鈥檝e already thrown in with the Brits, lad. Carry on.
After Tuesday鈥檚 speech, I bet other Trump targets now have Clarence House on speed dial to see if the Firm can intervene on their behalf. You don鈥檛 think Greenland would love to have the King talk about how it is not for sale? You don鈥檛 think Harvard is begging for a King Charles cameo during frosh week?
This was only the third time our head of state delivered the Speech From the Throne. It was a momentous occasion, which is why Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau sat together and refrained from any eye-poking.
It was Charles鈥檚 20th trip to Canada over a quarter-century.
Given his health concerns, I got choked up when he said: 鈥淓very time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and to my heart.鈥
It did not feel exogenous or like boilerplate. It felt beautifully sincere.
Thank you, King Charles, for the reminder: Canada is not alone.
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