A beacon of hope THE KING'S MOMENT

Charles used his years of experience to deliver a 'pitch perfect' speech

- Judy Kean

It's a long way to go for a two-day visit, especially when you're 76 and having cancer treatment. However, the King's decision to take a seven-hour flight to Canada to deliver a historic speech shows his determination to make his mark as monarch.

And it was worth it. His speech to Parliament has been hailed as a masterclass in “soft power” for the way it championed the country’s independence, while subtly rebuking United States President Donald Trump for his aggression towards Canada. And His Majesty did it without even mentioning Trump by name.

Charles was asked at very short notice by new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney if he would give the speech at the State Opening of Parliament in Ottawa. It's usually delivered by the Governor General on behalf of the monarch and had only been personally made by a monarch once before when the King's late mother Elizabeth II addressed Parliament back in 1957. While the Canadian government wrote the speech, outlining its agenda for the coming Parliament, the King personalised it and addressed President Trump's threats to annexe Canada as the US's 51st state. Members of the royal family aren't supposed to comment on politics. Still, royal observers say the speech made it clear that Canadian sovereignty is not for sale and focused on the close ties between Canada and the UK.