CROWNING MOMENT

King Charles and Queen Camilla make history and win hearts on a landmark visit to Canada

- REPORT: DANIELLE STACEY

Canada rolled out the red carpet for Charles and Camilla’s historic trip to Ottawa - their first royal visit as King and Queen - in a display of pomp, pageantry and deep symbolism.

Hello! joined Their Majesties as they received a rapturous reception on their whirlwind tour, during which thousands lined the streets of the capital.

Escorted by flag-bearing members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the couple were driven in a horse-drawn landau before being met by a 100-strong guard of honour and a 21-gun salute. Members of Parliament cheered “God save the King” as Charles – who is Canada’s head of state – walked into the Senate to open the 45th session of Parliament and deliver a 28-minute speech.

A RARE OCCASION

It was only the third time in history that a king or queen had presided over the state opening of Parliament – Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last did so in 1977 – and the significance of the occasion was not lost on His Majesty, who was said to be “very touched” by the reception.

“This is my 20th visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as sovereign,” he said in his address from the Senate throne, made of oak from the royal estate at Windsor Castle. “As I have said before, ‘Every time I come to Canada... a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream - and from there, straight to my heart.’”

A SIGN OF SUPPORT