MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

King Charles in Canada will open Parliament with the “Speech from the throne”

King Charles is expected to include in his speech to Parliament a defense of Canada's sovereignty and to reject claims it should be taken over by the US.

King Charles will read the “Speech from the Throne” to Canada's Parliament on Tuesday, the first time a monarch has delivered this for almost fifty years. It is expected to include a defense of Canada's sovereignty and to reject claims it should be taken over by the US.

However the new US ambassador to Canada says he understands the implication of King Charles trip to Ottawa is to push back on U.S. President Donald Trump's 51st state threats, but there are “easier ways to send messages” to the American government.

“We're thrilled that the king will be here,” said U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra, in an interview with CBC's The House. “If there's a message in there, there's easier ways to send messages. Just give me a call. [Mark] Carney can call the president at any time.”

Hoekstra added that the annexation saga is “over.”

“Move on. I'm not talking about it; Donald Trump is not talking about it. We've got too much on our plate to move forward because we're all about increasing America's prosperity, safety and security.”

The King's visit will mark the third time a British and Canadian monarch has read the speech from the throne in Canada, with Queen Elizabeth ll having delivered the speech in 1957 and 1977.

The timing of this week's visit has been seen as a sign of solidarity with Canada, after calls from Trump for the country to become the 51st US state.

The US threat has inflamed public opinion with some businesses in Ottawa, as elsewhere in Canada, putting on displays of national identity such as “Proudly Canadian” posters.

Carney, when he visited Trump at the White House earlier this month, stressed that Canada was “not for sale” and that message is likely to be conveyed in the King's speech which is written on the advice of Canada's government.

Former Canadian high commissioner to the UK Jeremy Kinsman said this was a message the King will be pleased to deliver. “It's going to be very affirmative of Canadian sovereignty. And I can say personally that it's something that King Charles will celebrate saying. I have no doubt,” said Mr Kinsman, who worked as a diplomat with the King when he was Prince of Wales.

The speech, to be delivered in French and English, will set out the Canadian government's policy agenda in a way that is similar to the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster.

But it is also expected to have lines asserting the independence of Canada - a Commonwealth country and Nato member.

Speaking ahead of the King's visit and State Opening, Carney said: “This is an historic honor which matches the weight of our times.”

This royal visit will be something of a diplomatic balancing act. The King is head of state of both Canada and the UK - and in his UK role, the King has been helping to maintain good relations with the US, sending a warm personal letter to President Trump inviting him for a second state visit.

Ahead of the visit, a royal source said: “The King has long experience and great skill in walking that diplomatic tightrope. ”He's held in high regard around the globe and across the political spectrum, with good relations with world leaders who understand his unique position.”