The King has warned Canada is facing a "critical moment" in its history with the world at is most “dangerous and unstable” since the Second World War, as he became the second British monarch to give the address at the state opening of the Canadian parliament.
Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration would bond with "reliable trading partners and allies", a move that follows Donald Trump leveraging 25% tariffs against it.
Many Canadians have seen the King's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump's trade war against his neighbour and threats to annex Canada.
Charles told the parliament "self-determination" was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was "determined to protect".
After highlighting worrying periods from the past, Charles said: "Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect.
"The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing.
"We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War.
"Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling.
“Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity, an opportunity for renewal, an opportunity to think big and to act bigger, an opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War.”
"The True North is indeed strong and free," Charles added at one stage, referring to the Canadian national anthem.
Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is the only other monarch to have delivered the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament.
The late Queen first made a speech at the historic ceremony in 1957.
Canada has faced the unwanted attention of US President Donald Trump, who has launched a trade war against his neighbour and made threats to annexe the country as America’s 51st state.
Commenting on the aims of his administration, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said the King’s speech would “outline the government’s ambitious plan to act with urgency and determination, and to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve: to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build the strongest economy in the G7, to bring down the cost of living, and to keep communities safe”.
The Canadian leader had praised the “historic ties” between his nation and the UK, which “crises only fortify” ahead of the King and Queen’s arrival in Ottawa on Monday.
Mr Carney was then seen by the royal couple’s side for part of their first day in the Canadian capital, and he described the role the King will play at the state opening of the Canadian Parliament as an “historic honour” that “matches the weight of our times”.
During the first day of their two-day visit to Canada, Charles and Camilla experienced all aspects of Canadian life from street hockey to a greeting from indigenous people.
The trip has been widely seen as a show of support for the country in the face of challenges from US President Trump.
Ahead of the country’s state opening of parliament, the King and Queen processed through the Canadian capital in a carriage as crowds gathered to watch.
Charles and Camilla’s horse-drawn landau was led by 14 mounted riders with 14 more behind as they travelled with Canada’s first indigenous Governor General Mary Simon and husband Whit Grant Fraser.
Canadians watched on as the procession passed some of Ottawa’s iconic landmarks to the Senate of Canada, where the King delivered a speech from the throne to formally open the 45th Parliament.
Mr Carney and his wife greeted the royal couple when their carriage arrived at the Senate building and waiting nearby was a guard of honour.
A deafening 21-gun salute rang out across the capital as enthusiastic well-wishers shouted “we love you King Charles”.
The King inspected the troops formed in two lines outside the Senate and Charles walked pass the first row and then the second before entering the building for the ceremony to begin.
It was the King’s 20th visit to Canada and his first as King.
