STORY: King Charles, speaking during a symbolic visit to show support for Canada at a time it has faced U.S. annexation threats, on Tuesday (May 27) expressed his love for the country, which he described as "strong and free".

Charles, Canada's head of state, is the first British monarch in almost 70 years to preside over the opening of the Canadian parliament.

In a speech, Charles referred to the "the country that Canadians and I love so much" but made no direct reference to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian exports and muses about turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state.

"The True North is indeed strong and free," Charles said, referring to the Canadian national anthem.

The speech outlining the government's plans for the next session was largely written by officials working for Prime Minister Mark Carney. But Charles was responsible for the comments about his love for Canada.

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VIDEO SHOWS: BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES MAKING SPEECH DURING OPENING OF CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: OTTAWA, CANADA (MAY 27, 2025) (ROYAL POOL - No use UK)

1. BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES AND AND QUEEN CAMILLA SEATED AHEAD OF CANADA’S STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

2. KING CHARLES BEING GIVEN SPEECH

3. KING CHARLES SEATED

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, SAYING:

"This is my twentieth visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as Sovereign. As I have said before, 'Every time I come to Canada… a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight to my heart.'"

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, SAYING:

"It has been nearly seventy years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament. In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its Constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation.

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, SAYING:

"The French language and the Quebec culture are at the heart of the Canadian identity. They define the country that Canadians and I love so much. Canada is a country that respects and celebrates its official languages and Indigenous languages."

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, SAYING:

"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."

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, SAYING:

"As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!" / AUDIENCE APPLAUDING