In a historic address to the Canadian Parliament, King Charles delivers a powerful message reaffirming Canada's sovereignty amid growing political rhetoric. Responding directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remark about Canada as the “51st State,” King Charles stands firm—proclaiming Canada as “The True North, strong and free.” Watch the full speech and the political ripple effects as it unfolds LIVE.
00:00May it please, Your Majesty, the House of Commons has elected me their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfill the important duties thus assigned to me.
00:12If, in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me and not to the House of Commons, whose servant I am,
00:25and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to their King and Country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges,
00:37especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Majesty's person at all seasonable times,
00:46and that their proceedings may receive from Your Majesty the most favourable construction.
00:55Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by His Majesty the King to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Commons
01:06to His Majesty's person and government, and not doubting that their proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper, and prudence,
01:16he grants and upon all occasions will recognize and allow their constitutional privileges.
01:22I am commanded also to assure you that the Commons shall have ready access to His Majesty upon all seasonable occasions,
01:33and that their proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.
01:42Honourable Senators, Members of the House of Commons,
01:47it is with a deep sense of pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today
01:53as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope.
02:02I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin and the Shinabeg people.
02:14This land acknowledgement is a recognition of shared history as a nation.
02:19While continuing to deepen my own understanding, it is my great hope that in each of your communities,
02:29and collectively as a country, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation in both word and deed.
02:38This is my 20th visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century,
02:49and my first as sovereign.
02:52As I have said before, every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream,
03:01and from there, straight to my heart.
03:04I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity,
03:12which is recognised across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values,
03:20and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.
03:25To the First Nations, Inuit, and Miti peoples,
03:29you have welcomed my family and myself to your traditional lands
03:36with great warmth and hospitality,
03:39for which I am humbly grateful.
03:46This year, we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day.
03:51On Juneau Beach, at Dieppe, on the Somme, at Beaumont-Amel, at Ypres, and on Vimy Ridge.
04:04At those places and many others, forever etched into our memories,
04:10Canadians fought and died alongside our closest allies.
04:14It has been nearly 70 years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament.
04:22In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed,
04:27repatriating its constitution, achieving full independence,
04:32and witnessing immense growth.
04:34Canada has embraced its British, French, and indigenous roots
04:41and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country
04:46that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation.
04:54The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada.
04:59It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present.
05:07As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today
05:13in all her richness and dynamism.
05:19When my dear late mother, Queen Elizabeth II,
05:23opened a new Canadian Parliament in 1957,
05:27the Second World War remained a fresh, painful memory.
05:33The Cold War was intensifying.
05:36Freedom and democracy were under threat.
05:40Canada was emerging as a growing economic power
05:44and a force for peace in the world.
05:48In the decades since,
05:51history has been punctuated by epoch-making events.
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