If you would have told me six months, even three months ago, that The King would be opening Canada’s Parliament, delivering the throne speech, I wouldn’t have believed you. But the events of the world and the circumstances helped the stars align to make it happen.
After continuous attacks on our country’s sovereignty by the newly re-elected U.S. president, Canadians – including many Monarchist League members – had been asking, “when is the King going to say something?” Needless to say, His Majesty spoke loud and clear last week.
I was one of thousands who lined Wellington Street in Ottawa to be a part of history. My daughter Alessa joined me as she, too, wanted to witness this event first-hand. And, hey, it’s always nice to get out of school for a couple of days. On the day of the Speech from the Throne, we parked ourselves near the temporary Senate building. and waited for the morning to unfold. The crowds had built up early and soon you couldn’t move much at all.
About half an hour before The King and Queen arrived a pair of Canada geese flew overhead. Talk about a perfect metaphor. Shortly thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries arrived. The main event was about to happen.
The noise of the crowd grew louder as the state landau carrying Canada’s King and Queen, accompanied by his representative the Governor General and her husband, drew closer to the Senate building. Upon exiting the landau, The King was greeted with the Royal Salute and O Canada. The King seemed genuinely moved by the reception he received.
Inside the Senate chamber, The King delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament of Canada. Of course, this was only the third time that a reigning monarch personally delivered the throne speech. In my view, the throne speech by King Charles is probably the biggest singular act that a monarch has performed in Canada since Queen Elizabeth II signed the Constitution back in 1982.
A couple of lines in the throne speech stand out for me. First, The King’s reference to the Crown being a symbol of unity for Canada and saying, “it also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.” Second, when The King finally mutters the words his fellow Canadians have long been wanting to hear – that “the True North is indeed strong and free!” Take that, Mr. Trump!
There are certain moments in history that can make or break something or somebody, and I think this particular royal tour, brief as it was, and in some part due to the timing and the Trump factor, helped make King Charles’ position in Canada secure and for that I’m very grateful.
In the end, I am confident that the Maple Crown today is strong and enjoying a resurgence in both interest and support. I saw and heard the crowds in Ottawa last week. There is no one besides The King – our head of state – who can bring together such a large and diverse crowd. People of all ages. Various ethnic backgrounds. English and French speaking. Newcomers and those who have been here for generations. Indigenous and non-indigenous. Different social-economic backgrounds. Liberals and Conservatives and New Democrats and Greens. We were all different yet united. We were there to see our King! You’re darn right the Crown is a symbol for Canadian unity!
We will look back at last week’s events 25, 50, 75 years from now and say to ourselves that that was a pivotal moment in the history of Canada. Alessa and I were happy to be a part of it.
