In Pictures: Canada’s 31st governor general installed in Senate Chamber ceremony
With a pause to extract her reading glasses from their mint green box and flashing a warm smile, a former Supreme Court judge, international prosecutor and law professor stood in a packed Senate Chamber and took the oaths of office to formally become Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, 31st Governor General of Canada.
She succeeds now-former governor general Mary Simon, who served as viceregal representative from July 26, 2021, to June 8, 2026.
Appointed by King Charles III on the advice of the prime minister, Governor General Arbour was installed in a ceremony that attracted a host of dignitaries, including Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, the prime minister, justices of the Supreme Court, Indigenous leaders and members of the House of Commons.
The ceremony took place in the Red Chamber because monarchs — or their representatives — are by convention not allowed to set foot in the House of Commons.
It’s a tradition that dates back to 17th-century England, when Charles I stormed the Commons to arrest five MPs but was rebuffed by House Speaker William Lenthall.
In her inaugural speech, Governor General Arbour gave a nod to the Senate, “where careful scrutiny is applied to the laws that will shape our future.”
“Like the Supreme Court of Canada and the House of Commons, the Senate contributes to the dialogue through which Canadian democracy is expressed,” she said.
Keep scrolling for more photos from the installation ceremony.
Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre, processes through the Senate of Canada Building on her way to the installation ceremony.
Outgoing governor general Mary Simon, third from the bottom, walked through the Senate of Canada Building’s airy, light-filled foyer in a parade that included Speaker Gagné, third from the top. The procession was led by Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters, a senior protocol officer and the governor general’s personal attendant while she is in Parliament. (Photo credit: Department of Canadian Heritage)
The Senate Chamber was packed with dignitaries for the installation ceremony. Senators’ desks were removed and replaced with benches in what’s known as a “bench opening” to accommodate the throng, which included the prime minister, Supreme Court justices and Indigenous leaders. (Photo credit: Department of Canadian Heritage)
Governor General Arbour gives her first viceregal speech from the monarch’s throne in the Senate Chamber, beneath the Coat of Arms of Canada. (Photo credit: Department of Canadian Heritage)
As part of the installation ceremony, Governor General Arbour was entrusted with the new Great Seal of Canada, created from a design approved by King Charles III during the 2025 royal visit that also saw him read the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber. The central disc is permanent and features the Canadian Royal Crown, while the outer ring will be changed for each monarch. (Photo credit: Department of Canadian Heritage)
Speaker Gagné, centre, stands with Speaker of the House of Commons Francis Scarpaleggia, left, and Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan in the Senate Speaker’s office prior to the ceremony. Gen. Carignan’s presence reflected the governor general’s role as Commander-in-Chief of Canada.