King Charles delivers landmark speech as he warns Canada is facing 'critical moment'

delivered a speech as he officially opened the country's Parliament in a ceremony steeped in tradition and ceremonial splendour. and arrived at the Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa's former train station which is being used as an interim home to Canada's upper house during Parliament's rehabilitation programme, .

The event marked the focal point of the King and Queen's incredibly brief two-day visit, which Canadians have seen as a show of support for their country by its monarch, . While the bulk of his speech was written by the Government, the beginning and end was penned by the monarch as he spoke of his "greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity".

He concluded with the words of the Canadian national anthem: "The True North is indeed strong and free!'

On Tuesday morning, 28 horses accompanied the King and Queen along the procession route, which saw hundreds of well-wishers line up to cheer Their Majesties as they rode past in the impressive 130-year-old State landau.

The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch as they arrived at the Senate building to be greeted by Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana, was well-wishers shouted "we love you King Charles".

Camilla wore a navy blue crepe silk embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, with a matching hat and bag, accessorised with a Canadian Riffles brooch and pearl and diamond choker.

They then received the Royal Salute from the 100-person guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, and a 21-gun salute.

The 30-minute long speech - written by Mark Carney's Government - saw Charles add his own introductory remarks where he reflected on how important the UK-Canadian relationship is to him, with his trip marking his 20th official visit.

He said: "It is with a sense of deep pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today, as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope.

"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.' I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity."

The King then moved onto outline the Parliamentary agenda, which focused heavily on Canada's sovereignty, as well as domestic matters such as the economy, housing, welfare, climate, security and immigration.

He 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."

Reading the words of the Government, he said: "The Government will discharge its duty to protect Canadians and their sovereign rights, from wherever challenges may come at home or abroad."

Concluding his speech in his own words, Charles said the country is an example of a "force for good" to the rest of the world before expressing his "heartfelt gratitude" for the warm welcome they have received over the past 24 hours.

"As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free."

It is rare for the monarch to deliver what's called the speech from the throne in Canada, with Queen Elizabeth II doing it twice during her 70-year reign, in 1957 and 1977, but comes amid a delicate political backdrop.

Canada has been embroiled in a trade war with the US and subject to threats by US President Donald Trump to annexe the country as America's 51st state.