King Charles III received a rapturous welcome inside and outside the Senate Chamber on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 as he read the Speech from the Throne to open the 45^th Parliament. 

Arriving in front of the Senate of Canada Building in Canada’s State Landau — an open-top horse-drawn carriage — the King and his wife, Camilla, were cheered and applauded by the enthusiastic crowd. 

The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., was the first to welcome him to the Senate of Canada Building, which was packed with dignitaries including former governors general and prime ministers.

“This is my 20^th visit to Canada,” the King said at the beginning of the throne speech.

“I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”

Keep scrolling for photos from the historic opening of the 45^th Parliament.

The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., officially welcomes King Charles III as he enters the Senate of Canada Building to read the Speech from the Throne and open the 45^th Parliament on May 27, 2025. It was only the third time that a Canadian monarch had read the throne speech — Queen Elizabeth II opened sessions of Parliament in 1957 and in 1977.

Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters escorts the royal couple through the foyer of the Senate of Canada Building. The Usher is the monarch’s personal attendant in Parliament. His ceremonial sword — a gift from the King in March 2025 that bears the royal cypher on the guard — is visible at his side.

The King reads the throne speech in the Senate Chamber. He is the first monarch to be seated on the throne, which was commissioned for Canada’s 150^th birthday and intended for use in the Senate of Canada Building. “As the anthem reminds us,” he said, “the True North is indeed strong and free!”

Speaker Gagné presents senators and other dignitaries to the King while awaiting members of the House of Commons before the throne speech. To accommodate the number of people who wanted to attend, all of the senators’ desks were removed and replaced with benches for what is called a bench opening.

The King — wearing his Order of Canada insignia around his neck — greets well-wishers outside of the Senate of Canada Building after reading the throne speech. The King is Sovereign of the Order of Canada, which recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Speaker Gagné — a member of the Order of Canada herself — also wore her Order of Manitoba insignia, which was presented to her by the King in 2014, when he was still Prince of Wales.

The King prepares to inspect his guard of honour outside the Senate of Canada Building. The personal Canadian flag of the monarch is just visible hanging from the flagpole

The King is swallowed up in a sea of red as he inspects members of the Royal Canadian Regiment, who provided his guard of honour.

The Royal Canadian Regiment turns the streets of Ottawa red as they march to the Senate of Canada Building.