King Charles III and Queen Camilla Scheduled to Open 45th Parliament in Ottawa, May 2025

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit Ottawa on May 26 and 27, 2025, according to Canadian Heritage. Canadian Heritage states that the main purpose of the visit is for King Charles III to deliver the Speech from the Throne and open the 45th Parliament of Canada.

Canadian Heritage reports that this will be King Charles III’s first visit to Canada as monarch. The department notes that it is rare for the sovereign to deliver the Speech from the Throne in Canada; the last time this occurred was in 1977, when Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech during her Silver Jubilee tour.

According to Canadian Heritage, Their Majesties will arrive in Ottawa on the afternoon of May 26 and will be welcomed at the Canada Reception Centre by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, Indigenous leaders and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Canadian Heritage adds that an arrival guard from the Royal Canadian Dragoons will be present. Following their arrival, Canadian Heritage states that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to Lansdowne Park to meet with members of community organizations and the public. The department notes that Their Majesties will then proceed to Rideau Hall, where they will stay during their visit. Canadian Heritage says there will be a ceremonial tree planting with Viceregal representatives and community members, and King Charles III is scheduled to hold meetings with the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

Canadian Heritage outlines that, on the morning of May 27, Their Majesties will travel along Wellington Street from the Bank of Canada to the Senate of Canada using Canada’s State Landau, drawn by horses of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. Upon arrival at the Senate, Canadian Heritage states that King Charles III will receive full military honours, including a Royal Salute, a 100-person guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, an inspection of the guard and the band, and a 21-gun salute. The department says King Charles III will then deliver the Speech from the Throne to open Parliament. Canadian Heritage reports that, before leaving Ottawa, Their Majesties will lay a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.

Canadian Heritage explains that Canada is a constitutional monarchy. According to Canadian Heritage, the Monarch is the Head of State, whose powers are defined by the Constitution and constitutional conventions. These responsibilities are carried out by the Governor General. Canadian Heritage states that the Speech from the Throne is usually delivered by the Governor General.

According to Canadian Heritage, this is King Charles III’s 20th visit to Canada and Queen Camilla’s 6th. The department notes that their most recent visit, as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, was from May 17 to 19, 2022.

Canadian Heritage states that the complete itinerary is available on the 2025 Royal Visit web page.