Monarch Charles to echo mother's approach in royal address from the throne
PARLIAMENT OPENING: KING CHARLES SITS IN WINDSOR WALNUT THRONE FOR PARLIAMENT SESSION START
OTTAWA — As King Charles III prepares to open a new session of Parliament on Tuesday, he will take his seat on a throne that incorporates a piece of English walnut from Windsor Great Park, a former residence of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The royal connection is fitting as Queen Elizabeth became the first sovereign to deliver a speech from the throne in Canada in 1957. Since then, this ceremonial role has typically been performed by the governor general.
Her visit in 1957 was a significant moment, as Queen Elizabeth not only opened the initial session of the 23rd Parliament, but also made her first televised address to Canadians. Hundreds of journalists from The Canadian Press and other media outlets followed the every move of the royal couple during their Thanksgiving weekend visit in Ottawa, with coverage of the royals dominating front pages and eclipsing other news items, such as Lester Pearson's Nobel Prize and the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik.
In her remarks, Queen Elizabeth singled out the young people of Canada, expressing hope that one day she might bring her children to see the country. Thousands lined Ottawa streets under a clear blue sky to see the royal couple travel to Parliament in an open gold-trimmed landau pulled by four black horses.
During the session, Queen Elizabeth read the throne speech, summarizing the goals of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservative government. The speech dwelled on themes of economic realism and promoting linguistic and cultural harmony in Canada.
On her 1977 visit, Queen Elizabeth II returned to deliver another throne speech during a tour to mark her Silver Jubilee. The visit brought back many rituals of the 1957 visit, with the Queen and Prince Philip once again greeted by police, crowds, and even boys on bicycles racing alongside the royal carriage.
The upcoming session marks the second time a sovereign has opened a new session since 1957 and is the third time a monarch has delivered the Speech from the Throne in Canada. This historical ceremony continues to symbolize the lasting connection between the British monarchy and Canada, as well as the ceremonial duties of the Crown within the Canadian governance system.
Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
- The upcoming session, with King Charles III delivering the Speech from the Throne, is set to travel back to the significant moment in 1957 when Queen Elizabeth II made her first televised address in Ottawa, captivating the news beyond politics and general-news items.
- The royal tradition continues as King Charles prepares to open a new Parliament session, following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II, who, in 1957, became the first sovereign to deliver a speech from the throne in Canada, an event heavily covered by news outlets, including travel details and the speech's political themes.
