King Charles hails ‘strong and free’ Canada in speech to open parliament

King Charles delivered a rare, pointed speech in Canada, where he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex the country while pledging support for Canada’s “strong and free” future. As the first monarch since 1957 to open a new parliament, he emphasized democratic values like democracy and freedom during his address, attended by prominent figures including Indigenous leaders. However, his speech also sparked mixed reactions within Canadian politics as not all parties supported his presence. The visit underscores the symbolic significance of royal engagement with Canadian society despite ongoing uncertainty about the monarchy’s future role.