Symbolic Speech from the Throne: Canadians preparing for King Charles III’s visit to Ottawa
As King Charles III prepares to deliver a symbolic Speech from the Throne in Ottawa next Tuesday, some Canadians are getting ready to participate in the pomp and circumstance and see the visit as a powerful symbol of Canada’s identity and independence.
Eighty-year-old Toronto resident Lanval Daly is eager to make the trip to Canada’s capital to witness what he calls a defining moment for the nation.
“This is a critically important time for Canada because of what we see as an existential threat from the United States,” said Dr. Daly, a retired gynecologist who views the King’s bid to address Parliament as more than just ceremonial.
“It is a symbolic gesture and that is a good place for the King to start.”
Dr. Daly met Queen Elizabeth II twice when she visited Canada. Now, he hopes to see the King.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s upcoming visit is being met with varying significance across Ottawa, as some local businesses remain unaware of the royal itinerary.
Heather Crysdale was just seven years old in 1967 when Queen Elizabeth visited Parliament Hill to mark 100 years since Canada’s Confederation.
Ms. Crysdale said she remembers the moment with awe, standing alongside her mother nearly 60 years ago. Her ties to the Crown are personal: her mother belonged to the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, and her fifth great-grandfather was a United Empire Loyalist.
Like Dr. Daly, Ms. Crysdale believes the timing of the royal visit is significant – especially since U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Canada next month for the G7 leaders’ summit.
“It underlines our difference with the administration and form of government to the south,” Ms. Crysdale said. “The visit indicates that we’re not alone, that we’re not isolated, that we’re part of a Commonwealth – we’re part of something bigger, that we identify differently.”
In the ByWard Market, Le Moulin de Provence bakery owner Claude Bonnet is marking the visit with a special cookie – though he’s keeping the design “a surprise for next Tuesday.”
“You never know, maybe he’ll stop by to see us,” Mr. Bonnet said with a laugh, saying he plans to bake up to 300 cookies.
Mr. Bonnet is continuing a tradition that began when former U.S. president Barack Obama visited in 2016. The bakery’s “Obama cookies” became so popular it earned the nickname “Obama Bakery” – and the cookies are still sold today.
Whether the King’s visit will have the same impact remains to be seen. “The bar is higher,” Mr. Bonnet said. “I can’t say there’s anything wrong with King Charles, but for me personally, the Queen was the rock star.”
Pat Nicastro, owner of the nearby La Bottega Nicastro, said he is excited and optimistic about the visit – but for the market, “It‘s business as usual.”
He said Queen Elizabeth’s past visits felt almost like Canada Day, with packed streets. “There was quite a bit of buzz, and we were told there would be a visit and that streets would be closed,” he said. “There were so many people waiting, and she came out and walked around the ByWard Market.”
This time, though, Mr. Nicastro said he had to reach out to the ByWard District Authority himself, only to be told that not much was happening.
Ottawa Tourism public affairs director Jerome Miousse is optimistic that the King’s visit will boost the city’s visibility and visitor numbers.
British tourists booked about 10 per cent more rooms than usual for the year after the King’s 2022 royal visit, he said, and this tour could once again drive interest in Ottawa. With several major events planned for that week, hotel bookings are high, he added.
“Some people might stay in Ottawa after the King’s visit to do some ‘King’s partying,’ and others might decide to come now that his itinerary is out.”
Carleton University student Leolla Del Villano is taking time off work to line up at Lansdowne Park on Monday morning, in order to beat the anticipated crowd for the King’s arrival that afternoon.
“The whole royal procession would be such an amazing opportunity because when is this going to happen again, you know?” Ms. Del Villano said.
While she acknowledged the significance of the royal visit, Ms. Del Villano questioned its relevance in the current economic and political climate.
“It‘s a momentous occasion no matter what but it‘s not exactly relevant today,” Ms. Del Villano said. “I think symbolism right now isn’t enough just because we’ve gotten very direct threats of becoming the 51st state.”
This article was first reported by The Globe and Mail
