King Charles III’s visit to Ottawa to open Parliament in May 2025 was steeped in pageantry — a state procession, a 21-gun salute and a schedule choreographed to the minute — yet one completely unscripted moment captured the exuberant spirit of the day.

After the King delivered the Speech from the Throne, he and Queen Camilla emerged from the Senate of Canada Building for a procession to the nearby National War Memorial.

Suddenly, they veered across Rideau Street toward a cheering knot of well‑wishers, turning the occasion into an impromptu walkabout.

Multidisciplinary artist Geneviève L Richard caught the moment on paper as she sketched from the roof of the Chateau Laurier’s entrance, across the street. One of four National Capital Region artists commissioned by the Senate to document the day, she combined dozens of impressions recorded that morning into a wide-angle watercolour‑and‑pencil‑crayon composition.

Her finished piece now hangs in the Senate of Canada Building’s foyer as part of Speech from the Throne: An Artistic Record, an exhibit featuring nine works by the four artists. The exhibit runs until early September.

The King’s appearance, only the third time a reigning Canadian monarch has read the Speech from the Throne, became a unifying moment for the country. Under the leadership of the Senate Artwork and Heritage Advisory Working Group, four local artists skilled in rapid, on‑location sketching were selected to capture the ceremony and spontaneity of the day.

“Using traditional media, the artists allowed Canadians to relive a remarkable moment in contemporary parliamentary history through the eyes of those who witnessed it,” said working group chair Senator Andrew Cardozo.

Serge Belet, a prolific travel‑sketch artist trained at France’s École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris‑Belleville, was positioned inside the Speaker’s chambers. He recorded the King greeting Senate leadership and officials.

Nicholas Thompson, a classically trained sculptor who works on the restoration of Centre Block’s century‑old carvings, sketched from the mezzanine of the Senate foyer. From this vantage, he captured the Speaker’s Parade and the royal procession escorting the King and Queen to the Chamber. His entire sketchbook is on display.

Painter Andrew Morrow, based in Chelsea, Quebec, worked from the public galleries overlooking the Senate Chamber. His on-the-spot sketches evolved into a detailed charcoal‑and‑white‑chalk study depicting more than 300 people watching the King deliver the throne speech.

“These artists have immortalized a proud moment in Canadian history,” Senator Cardozo said.

“Their work will be seen for generations to come.”

Members of the public are invited to visit the Senate of Canada Building to see the works in person.

You can book a free guided tour offered by the Library of Parliament.

Learn more about the artworks by visiting the Senate’s Artwork and Heritage Collection on the Senate website.

Sketch artist Serge Belet depicted the King and Queen in the Senate Speaker’s chambers, where Speaker of the Senate the Honourable Raymonde Gagné introduced the Royal Couple to then-government representative Senator Marc Gold, Leader of the Opposition Senator Leo Housakos, then-Independent Senators Group facilitator Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain, then-Canadian Senators Group leader Senator Scott Tannas and Progressive Senate Group Leader Senator Brian Francis. (Serge Belet, Introductions, 2025. Ink and watercolour on paper, 59.5 cm x 76.5 cm, Senate Artwork and Heritage Collection.)

Mr. Thompson sketched the King and Queen making their way to the Senate Chamber. (Nicholas Thompson, Sketchbook, 2025. Pen and ink and coloured pencil on paper, 21 cm x 26.7 cm x 1.27 cm, Senate Artwork and Heritage Collection.)

Chelsea, Quebec-based painter Andrew Morrow sketched from the public galleries overlooking the Senate Chamber. Afterwards, he worked up this detailed drawing depicting the more than 300 guests in the Chamber. (Andrew Morrow, Speech from the Throne, 2025. Charcoal pencil and chalk on paper, 93.5 cm x 82.5 cm, Senate Artwork and Heritage Collection.)