Charles stands firm with 'strong and free' Canada

THE King warned Canada it is facing a “critical moment” as he officially opened its parliament in a ceremony steeped in tradition and splendour.

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Charles and Camilla arrived by horse-drawn carriage at the country’s senate, which is currently housed in Ottawa’s former train station while preservation and rehabilitation work is carried out on the parliamentary precinct.

The ceremonial event marked the focal point of the King and Queen’s two-day visit, which Canadians have seen as a show of support by their monarch for their country as it faces US intimidation.

Most of Charles’s speech was written by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, but the beginning and end were penned by the King himself, telling of his “greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity”, and concluding with the words of the national anthem: “The true north is indeed strong and free.”

The roar of the crowd reached fever pitch as the King and Queen arrived in a 130-year-old state landau to be greeted by Mr Carney and his wife Diana.

They received the royal salute from a 100-strong guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment and a 21-gun salute.

The King, 76, wearing a pinstripe suit and medal array with the Order of Canada around his neck, inspected the guard before the royal couple headed inside for the procession into the senate chamber.

The usher of the Black Rod led the procession in a ceremony bearing many similarities to that in Westminster.