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Or sign-in if you have an account King Charles III will be giving the Speech from the Throne to open Canada’s 45th Parliament Prime Minister Mark Carney should be applauded for inviting the King to do so Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Canada’s existence has been called into question by the president of the United States open the federal legislature sends a message: ours is a country of institutions that date back a thousand years inherited from the United Kingdom but shaped by our unique history and aspirations We will not abandon them for American statehood especially when the United States’ much vaunted constitution of “checks and balances” is abjectly failing our system — with its hereditary head of state and executive branch that must hold the confidence of elected legislators — has never looked so good This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Having the King open Parliament can help Canadians better understand and appreciate their system of government. Lack of trust in institutions is a dangerous trend, one we must address if we want Canada to be stronger and more unified in the face of economic coercion and growing threats to our security. A first step toward building trust in institutions is sparking genuine interest in them. Monarchy is good at that. Love it or hate it, royalty gets people talking and asking questions. Seeing the Sovereign read a throne speech will stir curiosity about our constitution and how it evolved. Canadians love to talk about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but there’s a lot more to our constitution than that, and we would do well to elevate those other parts, notably those aspects of the Constitution Act 1867 that determine how we are governed and manage foreign affairs. The Crown, in the late political scientist David E. Smith’s words, is the first principle of Canadian government: the more you grasp it, the more knowledgeable you are about our parliamentary democracy and cabinet government. Most of the constitutional events we’ve seen in recent months, including the prorogation of Parliament and the appointment of a prime minister who wasn’t a parliamentarian, are directly connected to the Crown’s powers. Canadians will also need to muster an energetic, positive patriotism to stay united and build a resilient country. This will involve reclaiming our shared history, acknowledging our faults, but celebrating our accomplishments above all. The Crown is a key part of our national story. Canada would not be Canada without King George III’s Royal Proclamation of 1763, which recognized the rights of Indigenous peoples and laid the foundation of the treaties that the Crown would sign with them. Canada was confederated as a Dominion of the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1867. Not everyone is thrilled that the King will be giving the throne speech, of course. Having loudly complained that the King was not doing enough for Canada a few months ago, the Crown’s critics are now upset that the monarch is showing up. Perhaps they could pick a lane. The Bloc Québécois and Parti Québécois are annoyed, too. Considering that Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet recently called Canada an “artificial country with very little meaning” and stated that he’s a member of a foreign legislature, he may not be the best judge of the monarch’s role and importance. Other naysayers will argue that the “King of England” has no business opening the Canadian Parliament. It’s true that we share our monarch with the United Kingdom and that the British Parliament decides our laws of royal succession. We haven’t been as forceful as our Australian and New Zealand cousins in asserting full control of our Crown in that respect. Yet when he gives the throne speech, speaking in both official languages, Charles III will be doing so as the King of Canada, an office that is fully separate and distinct from its British counterpart. His presence will reflect a fundamental truth about the country we will be defending this 45th Parliament: we are a state of many nations united by institutions that reflect historic compromises. The Crown and Parliament capture this reality perfectly, and the King-in-Parliament even more so. Philippe Lagassé is an associate professor and Barton Chair at Carleton University. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account to mark 80 years since World War Two ended in Europe It comes after the Royal Family watched the Red Arrows fly over the Palace, with the King and Queen waving to thousands of people gathered on the Mall The Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children, joined the monarch - see the younger royals’ reaction Earlier, the King saluted a military procession watched by thousands of spectators - one family tell the BBC they left home at 05:30 BST to bag a front-row spot The World War Two veterans at today's events are in their late nineties and are representatives of a shrinking number of that generation, our royal correspondent Sean Coughlan writes Watch: The unseen royal bits from VE Day celebrations Edited by Nathan Williams and Jack Burgess The VE Day procession in central London involved more than 1,300 people who was sitting next to veteran Bernard Morgan The King saluted as the procession made its way down the Mall with the Red Arrows taking part in a flypast white and blue smoke could be seen across the sky in central London Three generations of royals watched on from the Buckingham Palace balcony Street parties have been held across the UK Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWatch: Fly with the Red Arrows in immersive 360 videopublished at 17:50 British Summer Time17:50 BSTThis video can not be played Experience flying with a Red Arrows pilot in immersive video The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows headlined today's flypast As the Royal Family and spectators looked to the skies they might have wondered what it's like to be on board one of the famous jets as the immersive footage below shows a view of London from the cockpit of the planes use your fingers to move the view on your phone If you are watching on the BBC News app, click here for the best experience 360° filming courtesy of the Royal Air Force Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingStories from VE Day 80 years onpublished at 17:37 British Summer Time17:37 BSTThomas MackintoshLive reporter Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWatch: Royal moments you may have missedpublished at 17:19 British Summer Time17:19 BSTThis video can not be played The Royal Family were at the heart of today's commemorations to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two in Europe while the King encouraged his family to wave to onlooking crowds from the balcony Watch back some of the moments you might have missed World War Two veteran Norman Brown shows a magic trick to the Queen while sitting at the dining table Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing98-year-old veteran describes meeting the Kingpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time16:51 BSTImage source says King Charles tucked her blanket into her wheelchair during the VE Day parade to stop her getting cold who joined the war effort at 17 and served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force was sitting next to the King during the procession "I said to him a lot of the women look formidable and he said 'yes"'," Trew tells PA news agency Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBalloons bunting and bean bags - your street parties picturedpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time16:39 BSTImage source BBC/Peter DaviesYou've been sending us the scenes from your street parties around the country where roads have been pedestrianised in favour of tables full of cake and drinks One scene has reached us from Midhurst in West Sussex where Peter Davies and his neighbours have been hard at work to gather members of the community together Contributing to the atmosphere of celebration are balloons Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingTower of London ceramic poppy display returnspublished at 16:30 British Summer Time16:30 BSTImage source ReutersAlso forming part of the VE Day commemorations is a display at the Tower of London It's made up of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies - originally featured in Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red an artwork created to mark the centenary of WW1 and included 888,246 poppies at the castle The poppies are positioned to resemble a wound at the heart of the Tower and visitors can see it with a general admission ticket to the Tower although a small part is visible from the public footpath The exhibition runs until Armistice Day on 11 November Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRoyals join veterans at Palace tea partypublished at 16:09 British Summer Time16:09 BSTImage source PA MediaWhile all these events have been going on the Royal Family have been hosting their own tea party at Buckingham Palace their families and other members of the wartime generation have been invited along We've just received these pictures from the event that we can share with you now Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingInspiration if you're planning a street partypublished at 16:08 British Summer Time16:08 BSTImage source street parties are happening around the country and the PM is hosting one in Downing Street If you're planning an event in the next few days to join in the celebrations you'll likely be thinking about which dishes to whip up and deciding on the drinks you'll be toasting with Our colleagues from BBC Food have created a guide on how to throw a street party and have provided all the last-minute inspiration you may need Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingIn pictures: Keir Starmer welcomes guests in Downing Streetpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time16:03 BSTImage source has become the venue for a VE Day tea party Here's a quick glance how it's looking as guests enjoy Victoria sponge and musical performances of tunes from the times The prime minister and his wife brought out cakes for the party Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingCake scotch eggs and pork pies at Downing Street tea partypublished at 15:52 British Summer Time15:52 BSTImage source PoolAfter attending the military procession and flypast earlier today Prime Minister Keir Starmer is turning his hand to host as guests arrive at Downing Street for a VE Day street party Long tables have been set up outside Number 10 scotch eggs and pork pies on the menu for guests and each seat has been given a commemorative plate and mug with the words VE Day 80 written on them Spotted among the guests so far is comedian Al Murray and Second World War veterans are also expected to be in attendance Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingEarplugs in as HMS Belfast guns firedpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time15:48 BSTNick JohnsonReporting from HMS Belfast Watch: Moment HMS Belfast makes gun salute All of us onboard HMS Belfast were urged to put our earplugs in as a public address system announced the ship's guns were about to be fired These guns crucial in softening the German defences on the beaches of Normandy in the early stages of the allied assault of D-Day Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingStage at Buckingham Palace being removedpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time15:40 BSTMallory Moench and Ashitha NageshReporting from outside Buckingham Palace Workers are beginning to take down the stage in front of Buckingham Palace Most attendees have left or moved on to walk or sit in the park while the usual crowds and tourists have begun to trickle back in It’s gotten colder and the sky has been threatening rain Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingQueen Camilla leaves Buckingham Palacepublished at 15:38 British Summer Time15:38 BSTMallory Moench and Ashitha NageshReporting from the Mall Queen Camilla leaves Buckingham Palace and gets dropped off at Clarence House Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingGun salute and VE Day party at HMS Belfastpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time15:34 BSTA few miles down the River Thames from Buckingham Palace HMS Belfast is hosting a private VE Day 80 anniversary event the now-retired war vessel today plays host to an afternoon tea which veterans are expected to attend - our colleague Matt Chorley has been reporting from deck for BBC 5 Live where a gun salute has just taken place "Now you need your ear defenders," he says "I think they're getting bigger." "As we look across to the Tower of London on one side.. its guns are sounding right around us to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day." the warship is also holding an "after-hours party" with the public able to purchase tickets to mingle with history reenactors and listen to music from the time Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe menu aboard HMS Belfastpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time15:25 BSTNick JohnsonReporting from HMS Belfast Preparations for lunch are under way on the HMS Belfast Part of the menu being served on the HMS Belfast Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBunting baked cakes and fizz in West Yorkshirepublished at 15:18 British Summer Time15:18 BSTJosh ParryReporting from Meltham West Yorkshire they've pulled out all the stops to make sure that the VE Day commemorations are also celebratory Residents have organised a street party and have brought out the bunting baked cakes and are even enjoying a few bottles of fizz Throughout the day the plans involve the Meltham and Meltham Mill band who will give a special performance and there was also a flypast by a Spitfire has brought out her commemorative tea towels which show details of the ration books issued by the government during the war She said: "We're lucky and fortunate that we all get on with each other to organise events like this "It wouldn't be possible without this community." she told BBC News she felt it was also "very important to remember those who didn't come home" Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAn 'emotional and poignant day' says Palace tea party inviteepublished at 15:06 British Summer Time15:06 BSTKris Bramwell & Cachella Smith WorldNewsKing Charles joins crowds for Victory in Europe Day celebrationsBy ReutersUpdated: May 05, 2025 at 9:51AM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved He also said he has invited King Charles III to formally open Canada's 45th Parliament later this month - the first time in decades that a reigning British monarch would preside over such an occasion. 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It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem Britain has begun four days of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a military procession a flypast over Buckingham Palace as the Royal Family watched on and street parties around the country Catch up on events as they happened - including all the best videos and photos Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Thanks for following our live coverage of the first of four days commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day.  we heard Winston Churchill's famous victory speech read aloud by actor Timothy Spall before 1,300 members of the military led a procession from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace The day's events were capped off with an RAF flypast as the royals watched on from the palace balcony and street parties and other gatherings across the country.  If you want to catch up on the day in more detail, you can read our story here.  Watch highlights from the procession here: And watch the moment the famous Red Arrows made their flypast here: And if you want to get ahead of the rest of the week's events, read our guide here: We've just brought you pictures as the King and Queen host a tea party for veterans at Buckingham Palace We can now bring you footage from inside the event where the King can be heard talking to a Second World War veteran "It's so special to get you here on this sort of occasion It's the least we could do for you," the King says Listen to his full message in the video below.. The cameras trained on the royal box during the military procession earlier caught a brilliant moment between two brothers The King and the Royal Family are hosting veterans at a tea party at Buckingham Palace Today's celebrations began with a military procession from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace as three generations of the Royal Family and tens of thousands of people watched on By Laura Bundock and to honour and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice." spoke to Sky News today about the need of remembrance during VE Day - but the importance of learning from it as well He highlighted the case of Russia's invasion of Ukraine "One stops to think that it was yesterday evening 80 years ago that Field Marshal Montgomery took the surrender of all German forces in northwest Germany Denmark and Holland and news of that began to trickle through which triggered the celebrations which began 80 years ago today," he said But speaking about Russia's ongoing invasion he went on: "We have to keep that in mind.. has echoes of the past but has very sharp images for what is going on today." By Sarah-Jane Mee Sitting down with Second World War veteran Pat Owtram Pat has the kind of spirit you have come to admire in the veterans we are lucky to still have - resilience stoicism and a healthy dose of good humour Pat opens up her well-worn photo album and recounts her remarkable story desperately wanted to join the war effort and "do their bit" Pat found herself heading to Liverpool for an interview to join the Women's Royal Naval Service and was snapped up on account of her German-speaking skills Or read the full piece here.. the seven-year-old son of the Prince and Princess of Wales seemingly distracted by his dad's uniform or chatting to his mother Here are some of the best pictures of the well-liked prince...  Today was the start of four days of celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday Here's how the rest of the week is shaping up: Tomorrow an installation of 30,000 ceramic poppies returns to the Tower of London which will be viewed by the Queen when they go on display were made in 2014 as part of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation which marked 100 years since Britain's involvement in the First World War features tens of thousands of the original ceramic poppies on loan from the Imperial War Museum as a way to "mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War" A small part of the poppy installation will be visible to the public for free with the main installation located inside the grounds of the Tower It will remain in place until 11 November to mark Armistice Day Historic landmarks across the UK will also be lit up in the evening which you can watch on Sky News with live helicopter shots capturing the scenes an anniversary concert takes place in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster It will mark 80 years since a newsflash told the nation that the next day would be known as Victory Day The Parliament Choir will perform pieces of classic music from across Europe and America Events planned to mark VE Day itself kick off with a service in Westminster Abbey with 1,800 people invited to attend including the King and Queen a two-minute silence will be held across all UK government buildings and departments with other organisations invited to follow suit will host a private tea party for Second World War veterans and their families It will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and aims to include veterans who live in the North of England and cannot travel to events in London The tea party is expected to attract a large crowd if not the largest group of Second World War veterans at a VE Day event and you can watch live coverage of it on Sky News there will be a parade of 80 pipers and drummers along Church Street in Enniskillen Pubs will also be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on 8 May, meaning people will be able to raise a glass until 1am to mark the end of the four-day celebration. The government's VE Day programme of events concludes with a concert at Horse Guards Parade between 8pm and 10pm on 8 May. The concert will feature "stars of the stage and screen" as well as performances from military musicians, readings and poignant moments that will tell the story of VE Day and the nation's reaction to the end of the Second World War. More than 12,500 people are expected to attend the event, including the King and Queen, as well as 2,500 young people made up of Duke of Edinburgh ambassadors, Commonwealth scholars and representatives from youth groups. Meanwhile, from 7.30pm at the Royal Albert Hall, the Armed Forces charity SSAFA will host VE Day 80: The Party. This will feature The RAF Squadronaires, part of the central band of the Royal Air Force, who will perform 1940s songs, and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, which will perform the nation's best-loved classical anthems. A new short film by the National Theatre will also be released on 8 May. The Next Morning, written by stage and screenwriter James Graham, will feature award-winning actors Julian Glover, Sian Phillips, and Joseph Mydell and will take viewers through a series of stories exploring intergenerational perspectives on the end of the war. Bringing the day to an end, 2,500 beacons will be lit across the UK. The fires will be ignited around 9pm, including on the River Thames at London's Tower Bridge, in Folkstone, Kent, Bridport in Dorset, Fairhaven Lake and Gardens in Lancashire and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Community events around the country continue into the weekend, though these have not been officially organised by the government. On Friday night, there will be a 1940s style dance in Wouldham, Rochester, with a hog roast, a 1940s wartime band and authentic Second World War jeep. On 10 May in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, there will be a community concert by the band, bugles, pipes and drums of The Royal Irish Regiment at St Macartin's Cathedral. In Glasgow on 10 May, there will be a church service at the Veterans Memorial Garden on Baldwin Avenue, followed by a veterans parade. This will finish at the Lincoln Inn where there will be a buffet, music and raffle. In the Yorkshire village of Catton, there will be a vintage-themed day featuring Second World War memorabilia and vehicles. A similar event is also set to take place in Keelby village hall, in Lincolnshire. King Charles is reportedly determined not to let Prince Harry and Prince Andrew overshadow the royal family I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A tumultuous bank holiday weekend for the royals will end with a grand parade and a flypast as they are joined by veterans and large crowds to commemorate the victory of the UK and its allies in World War 2 The interview by the Duke of Sussex, which came out after he lost a court ruling related to security arrangements in the UK on Friday, sparked fury from royal circles after he said he doesn’t “know how much longer” King Charles has left to live. But in a warning which appears directed towards the estranged royal, Buckingham Palace officials hope that “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries”, the Times reported. According to the outlet, the King is determined not to let Prince Harry and Prince Andrew overshadow the monarchy. Thousands of people are expected to flock to central London on Bank Holiday Monday to hear the words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech performed by actor Timothy Spall - which will open the commemorations. It will be followed by displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals, a military procession, and street parties across the UK. The King will be joined by the Queen and other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, with Harry set to be a notable absence. Prince Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will also not be on the balcony. A Palace aide said that Charles looks forward to thanking a “wartime generation whose selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all.” But the event is likely to be overshadowed by talk of Harry’s emotional interview. The duke told the BBC: “I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don't know how much longer my father has.” He was heavily criticised for the comment, including by a close friend of King Charles, who told the Times: “It’s not that the King won’t speak to him — it’s that he can’t. How can you have a private and delicate conversation when you know it is going to end up on a news special within hours? “Perhaps if he tried to earn rather than demand a reconciliation, things might go a little better for him. It’s just very tragic.” They added: “He is like a gambler in a casino who can’t walk away — he just doubles down. Even when he speaks of reconciliation, it is laced with threats and anger.” Former press secretary to the late Queen Ailsa Anderson also told Sky News: "Prince Harry is saying 'I don't know how long my father has' - that's going to cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies govt and politics"},{"score":0.705035,"label":"/law govt and politics/government/heads of state"},{"score":0.66284,"label":"/art and entertainment/shows and events"},{"score":0.60726,"label":"/law govt and politics/politics"},{"score":0.606739,"label":"/family and parenting/children"},{"score":0.605259,"label":"/society/senior living"},{"score":0.585991,"label":"/travel/traveling with kids"},{"score":0.560582,"label":"/law says report","description":"King Charles is reportedly determined not to let Prince Harry and Prince Andrew overshadow the royal family The King and Queen are leading the charge to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article with whom he had a long-standing relationship; after the wedding Parker Bowles took the title of duchess of Cornwall (Read Britannica’s interview with Tina Brown about Princess Di.) who visited Buckingham Palace in February 2023 In delivering his first Christmas message as monarch in December 2022, Charles reflected again on Elizabeth’s death and referred to his mother’s faith in people, using it as a jumping-off point from which to celebrate the selfless contributions of individuals and institutions throughout the Commonwealth Charles’s welcome as the new king was mixed While his public appearances were sometimes greeted with shouts of “God save the king” by well-wishers on two occasions in late 2022 eggs were thrown at him by protesters The royal family’s strained relationship with Harry and Meghan also continued to pose challenges for the king especially after the six-part documentary series Harry & Meghan debuted on Netflix in December 2022 Similarly problematic was the publication in early January 2023 of Harry’s memoir the prince describes in detail his feud with Prince William Charles stepped back from public-facing duties The royal family faced additional difficulties as it was later revealed that Catherine Spending time with people who devote themselves to the cause of increasing access to affordable housing is an inspiration for Holly O’Connor As the marketing and communications manager for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) she’s now had the opportunity to help recognize three of the organization’s outstanding volunteers with the King Charles III Coronation Medal which recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities “It’s honestly so inspiring to have the privilege to be surrounded by volunteers who devote so much of themselves to Habitat PKR’s work,” O’Connor told kawarthaNOW “I’m constantly in awe of the heart behind their motives simply because they care about building affordable housing and investing right back into their community.” One of those individuals is Kevin Deuchars Habitat PKR presented the devoted Lindsay ReStore volunteer with his King Charles III Coronation Medal at a special volunteer celebration hosted at Omemee Coronation Hall Deuchars acknowledged the efforts of each of his fellow volunteers show attended the event along with his friends and family “The main reason I will always volunteer at the Lindsay Habitat ReStore is because of the incredible people who surround me and inspire me every single day,” Deuchars said The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to fewer than 30,000 people across the country and recognizes exceptional service and civic dedication — “qualities Kevin demonstrates daily,” Habitat PKR noted in a media release “A valued member of the Habitat PKR since 2021 Kevin has made a lasting impact on the Lindsay ReStore and the broader community.” Deuchars manages the lighting department with “enthusiasm and expertise.” Known for his reliability he became “a go-to volunteer and trusted peer among staff and volunteers alike,” the release stated “Volunteers like Kevin embody the spirit of service and I don’t think people always realize just how much time skill and heart goes into what they do,” O’Connor said “They work so hard behind the scenes and are always humble and purpose-driven They are the backbone of not just our organization Originally from Hamilton and raised in east Toronto Deuchars moved to Lindsay in 2003 and has dedicated his retirement years to service and community building “Kevin is not only a dedicated volunteer — he embodies the spirit of community,” said Susan Zambonin “His commitment to Habitat PKR goes far beyond his time in the ReStore He actively invests in the local community and believes deeply in our mission to build safe Kevin’s contributions help create brighter futures for families across our region.” Deuchars also received a legacy award from Habitat PRK recognizing his completion of over 2,200 volunteer hours Habitat PKR held a special celebration brunch at the Lakefield Restore to honour two other volunteers — Cindy Windover and Harry Pearson — who also each received the King Charles III Coronation Medal has played a key role in shaping the organization’s vision and supporting fundraising initiatives a boots-on-the-ground volunteer of more than 18 years fulfills a crucial role in Habitat PKR’s deconstruction program helping to remove more than 100 kitchens and salvage materials for Habitat PKR ReStores Both Windover and Pearson have also worked on Habitat PKR build sites in the Lakefield community and were key members of the steering committee for the homes built on Fitzgerald Street and other local projects The King Charles III Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada Eligible candidates must meet requirements that include having made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province or having made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways and our news digest is delivered daily every morning Email        You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter King Charles III meets with Prime Minister Mark Carney at Buckingham Palace Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement Friday during his first news conference since winning a minority government in Monday's election Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement Friday during his first news conference since winning a minority government in Monday’s election OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney put down a king Friday in his high-stakes negotiations with U.S announcing King Charles will read his new government’s first throne speech later this month Carney made the announcement during his first news conference since winning a minority government in Monday’s election “We will have the privilege of welcoming His Majesty King Charles III who will deliver Canada’s speech from the throne on May 27,” Carney said The speech from the throne is typically delivered by the Governor General The last time a monarch delivered the throne speech in Canada was in 1977 Carney announced he will travel to Washington on Tuesday to meet with Trump president has repeatedly challenged Canada’s sovereignty since his election last year imposing tariffs on Canadian imports and suggesting Canada should become his country’s 51st state Carney said the King’s presence will serve as a clear reminder that Canada will never be a part of the United States He will open Parliament with the speech from the throne and that clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country,” he said Trump is known to be a fan of the royal family British Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented him with an invitation from the King to a state dinner in the U.K The Bloc Québécois welcomed the quick return to Parliament but said having King Charles open the new session shows the Liberals are out of touch with Quebecers in order to embody the attributes of Canadian sovereignty is inviting a foreign monarch to inaugurate the legislature of which he will be prime minister,” the party said in a written statement in French Carney also said he would appoint his cabinet during the week of May 12 and that Parliament will return on May 26 He said he expects the conversations and negotiations with Trump will be difficult “I’m not pretending those discussions will be easy They won’t proceed in a straight line “I will fight for the best deal for Canada and only accept the best deal for Canada and take as much time as necessary.” Carney said Trump did not mention his 51st state claims during a phone call last week and stressed that the idea remains a non-starter for Canadians no matter what the U.S “It’s always important to distinguish want from reality,” he said “What the Canadian people clearly have stated After the Liberals fell just a few seats short of a majority government in Monday’s election Carney said he intends to work with the opposition parties “We are in a once in a lifetime crisis,” he said to put on our Team Canada’s sweaters,” he said Carney said he knows Canadians also want progress on domestic issues “Canadians also sent a clear message that their cost of living must come down I’ve heard these messages loud and clear and I will act on them with focus and determination,” he said “I will unveil more of our plans to engage with Canadians as we embark on the biggest transformation of our economy since the end of the Second World War.” Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Royal FamilyNewsA ‘historic honour:’ King Charles will deliver Canada’s speech from the throneBy Luca Caruso-MoroOpens in new windowUpdated: May 02, 2025 at 11:20AM EDT ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishGENERALKing Philippe receives ceremonial welcome in Czech Republic5 May 2025 King Philippe of Belgium was given a red carpet welcome and a military ceremony in Prague on Monday afternoon The King is visiting the Czech Republic to take part in a ceremony commemorating the liberation of the city of Pilsen the King was greeted by Czech president Petr Pavel and dozens of Czech soldiers at a formal reception at Prague Castle a monumental palace complex that overlooks the centre of Prague from a hilltop which was closed to tourists for the occasion is also the official residence and workplace of the Czech President which included the national anthems of both countries was followed by talks between the two leaders The King was also presented with a framed photograph of his meeting with Vaclav Havel the country's first president after the fall of the communist regime King Philippe travelled to the Czech Republic to take part in a ceremony commemorating the liberation of the city of Pilsen Tuesday marks exactly 80 years since a Belgian battalion helped drive Nazi troops out of the city It is also the first time that a Belgian and a Czech head of state will attend the commemoration of this event together the city was liberated by the American army with the assistance of the 17th Belgian Fusilier Battalion This battalion consisted of volunteers from the province of Liège all former members of the Secret Army resistance group Pilsen is one of the few Czech cities not liberated by Soviet troops at the end of the Second World War following the Velvet Revolution that ended communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia that the liberation began to be celebrated The last Belgian veteran passed away in 2023 but family members of the 17th Battalion veterans are expected to attend the commemoration in Pilsen on Tuesday King Philippe's visit partly coincides with a two-day visit by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to the Czech Republic the Ukrainian flag at Prague Castle had to be replaced by the Belgian flag shortly before 14.00 on Monday King Philippe of Belgium and Czech president Petr Pavel in Prague on 5 May 2025 © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE Copy linkGet updates in your mailboxYour email addressSubscribeBy clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media not to mention entertainment and lifestyle our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language businesses and various organisations that need reliable information Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs www.belganewsagency.eu King Charles will visit Canada to deliver the throne speech on May 27 This will be the first time a reigning monarch delivers the speech in Canada since 1977 The visit will mark the King’s 20th trip to Canada the speech is read every time a new session of Parliament is opened It introduces the government’s direction and goals with a layout of how they plan to achieve them it is usually read by the Governor General The speech has only been read by Canada’s head of state two times before; here’s what each moment was like Your guide to the world of Canadian politics The next issue of First Reading will soon be in your inbox Queen Elizabeth II addressed Canada twice over her 70-year-long reign as monarch It was the Queen’s first visit to Canada as the reigning monarch and the first time a monarch opened Parliament in Canada The speech was televised as then prime minister John Diefenbaker wanted the event to be shared across the country According to the Diefenbakers Canada Centre website it was the first time that cameras had appeared in the House of Commons Maclean’s reported at the time that the National Film Board brought in strong lights for the filming of a documentary about the tour and blew all the fuses in the House of Commons leading to a power outage for about five minutes “CBC technicians wept when power was restored with 55 seconds to go,” before the Queen’s speech “This is for all of us a moment to remember.” The second time Queen Elizabeth II addressed Canada and the most recent throne speech given by a monarch occurred on Oct This address was a part of the Silver Jubilee tour in honour of the monarch’s 25th anniversary as Queen The event occurred while then prime minister Pierre Trudeau was in office at a time when some of the members of Parliament were supporting the elimination of the monarchy limited by Ottawa as much of the government did not want to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee According to Journalist Michael Jackson’s book: The Crown and Canadian Federalism the government “grudgingly” agreed and “arranged a short visit to Ottawa.” Both Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II addressed the country in both French and English attempting to support more unity in Canada at a time when the country was dealing with the Quebec separatist movement “What is most evident in looking at your country from the long-term view is that Canada’s accomplishments and progress have been the results of the joint efforts and joint councils of Canadians of every background,” the Queen said was the first reigning monarch to visit Canada he did address Canada and the Commonwealth from Government House Winnipeg on May 24 He delivered the broadcasted speech on Empire Day; a holiday celebrated to this day “Today it is a monument to the faith and energy which have created and upheld the worldwide Empire of our time “The journey which the Queen and I are making in Canada has been a deeply moving experience and I welcome this opportunity of sharing with my subjects in all parts of the world some of the thought and feeling which it has inspired in me.” visited Canada for a royal tour of the country the visit made the King the first reigning monarch to directly meet Canada’s Parliament The royal couple explored Canada by train for almost a month taking a small break to visit the United States George VI also gave royal assent — he approved — nine bills this time announcing Britain’s involvement in the Second World War That second address inspired Tom Hooper’s award-winning 2010 movie Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. OTTAWA — King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne for Mark Carney’s Liberal government on May 27 the first time a British monarch will do so in nearly half a century “This is an historic honour which matches the weight of our times,” Carney told reporters Friday morning while confirming that the House of Commons will resume sitting on May 26 The last time Canada’s monarch delivered the speech from the throne in Canada was Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 writing in a short statement on X that the King and Queen will undertake a royal visit to Canada from May 26 to 27 and that they will attend the “State Opening of the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa.” https://x.com/RoyalFamily/status/1918325678144884794 “That clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country,” said Carney who said he directly made the ask to the King the Bloc Québécois criticized the move and said that inviting a “foreign monarch” to inaugurate a new legislature is incompatible with Quebecers’ values I will unveil more of our plans to engage with Canadians as we embark on the biggest transformation of our economy since the end of the Second World War,” Carney said describing the time ahead as “incredibly exciting.” He also said he will announce his government’s new cabinet in the week of May 12 Carney would not comment yet on its size or its composition only saying he was committed to “an efficient cabinet a focused cabinet” and that he would “work towards” gender parity — as his predecessor Justin Trudeau did in his years in government Friday’s press conference was Carney’s first since he led Liberals to a fourth consecutive term in government in Monday’s election President Donald Trump have agreed to meet Tuesday in Washington “Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations,” said Carney “My government will fight to get the best deal for Canada Carney’s Liberals were elected to a fourth consecutive term and a third straight minority government on Monday night The win sealed a historic upset over Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives who held a significant polling lead over the Justin Trudeau-led Liberals as recently as January Carney insisted to reporters he has a “strong” mandate and said it is “clear” for Trump who is the prime minister of Canada “We campaigned on a very clear set of objectives and we received the highest number of votes in Canadian history,” he said but (we obtained the) highest number of votes… majorities in seven of the 10 provinces Carney also confirmed his government would not be pursuing a formal governing pact of any kind with the New Democrats which include removing federal barriers to internal trade and enacting a middle-class tax cut by Canada Day lowering housing costs for first-time home buyers by cutting HST on new homes and “unleashing the power of public-private cooperation at a scale not seen in generations.” He also promised to toughen the Criminal Code and bail laws for people threatening the safety of Canadians which includes “making bail harder to get for those charged with stealing cars Carney said he intends to cap the total number of temporary workers and international students at less than five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027 and told Canadians living abroad “there’s never been a better time to come home.” He is also promising to bring down day-to-day government spending “The government’s operating budget has been growing by an unsustainable nine per cent every year we will bring that down to two per cent,” he said Carney said he would not cut any transfers to provinces cap the public service and boost public sector productivity “We’re going to focus on that while we have these negotiations with the Americans and if the negotiations with the Americans take longer National Post cnardi@postmedia.com calevesque@postmedia.com