Amid the ceremony and symbolism of parliamentary life, a rare royal gesture in March 2025 reminded Canadians of the enduring ties between Parliament and its Monarch.

“It was an honour to be received by His Majesty King Charles III and witness the bestowal of the King Charles III Usher of the Black Rod sword. His Majesty’s graciousness made it an occasion I will always remember and a memory I will deeply cherish,” said the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M..

In March 2025, Speaker Gagné was invited to attend her first audience since the King’s accession to the throne in September 2022. For this special occasion, the Speaker was accompanied by Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters, M.V.O..

“It was an honour and a privilege for me to accompany the Honourable Speaker to this audience with His Majesty and to play my role in nourishing the relationship between the upper house, its Speaker and the Crown,” said Mr. Peters, who is Canada’s 16^th Black Rod.

The bestowal of the sword took place just in time for a very special Speech from the Throne, as it was announced only a few months later that the King would personally deliver the address in the Senate Chamber on May 27, 2025.

The Black Rod is Parliament’s senior protocol officer and personal attendant to the King or His representative, the governor general, on Parliament Hill. He plans and leads the ceremony surrounding the throne speech and is responsible for security in the Chamber, placing him close to the centre of the action for the opening of Parliament, which takes place over two days of ceremony meant to emphasize Parliament’s ties to the Crown as well as its independence from it.

Forged from carbon steel and etched by hand, the sword was crafted by Pooley Sword, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious sword makers. It was designed in consultation with Mr. Peters and the Artwork and Heritage Advisory Working Group, the Senate subcommittee in charge of the institution’s collection of art, regalia, furniture and heritage pieces. It was approved by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The royal cypher of King Charles III features prominently on the guard of this ceremonial sword — a gift from the King.

“Robert Pooley is one of the world’s foremost sword makers,” said Mr. Peters. “He’s 90 years old and still creates swords for the Household Cavalry, the British Armed Forces and the Royal Military College of Canada.”

King Charles’ cypher decorates the sword’s guard. A Tudor Crown forms the pommel. The date of the King’s succession — September 8, 2022 — is inscribed on the base of the blade.

The sword replaces one that featured Queen Elizabeth II’s royal cypher on its guard. 

While affirming that the Usher of the Black Rod is tasked with security in the Senate Chamber and its galleries, the sword also conveys a sobering message about parliamentary decorum.

“It’s a reminder that opposition and government seats are separated by two sword lengths, in both the U.K. and Canada,” Mr. Peters said.

It recalls a time when England teetered on the verge of civil war and weapons were permitted in Parliament.

“Parliament wasn’t immune from violence,” Mr. Peters said. “It wasn’t unusual for swords to be drawn there 400 years ago.”

“Wearing a purely ceremonial sword now is a reminder that all debate should be civil, respectful and, most of all, peaceful.”

The sword was blessed by Cannon Paul Wright L.V.O., Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal in London, United Kingdom’s St. James’s Palace on March 11, 2025, the day before the audience and bestowal.

“The King was very touched when I pointed out the inscription on the blade commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee,” Mr. Peters said. “He hadn’t noticed that detail before.”

King Charles is the first monarch to open Canada’s Parliament in nearly 50 years. Queen Elizabeth read the throne speech in October 1977 during her Silver Jubilee tour, and in October 1957 during her first visit as Queen.

“The Speech from the Throne is a celebration of what freedom and the peaceful transition of power look like in a democratic country,” Mr. Peters said.

“That’s why it’s so important to have His Majesty here to personally read the Speech from the Throne. It underscores that the monarch is our head of state and the basis for the authority of our laws.”

From left, Cannon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, and Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters stand beside the altar of the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace, London, United Kingdom, on March 11, 2025, during the blessing ceremony for the new sword.

A close look at the pommel, grip and guard of the sword as well as other regalia the Usher of the Black Rod wears, including his chain of office and various honours he has received, among them the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and the insignia for Member of the Royal Victorian Order.