The federal government has released the itinerary for the upcoming Royal Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, scheduled for May 26 and 27, 2025 to Ottawa.
This marks the King’s first official visit to Canada as sovereign and will include ceremonial, political, and public engagements.
Credit: Govt. of Canada
Their Majesties are expected to arrive on the afternoon of May 26 at the Canada Reception Centre, where they will be formally welcomed by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, Indigenous leaders, and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. A military guard from the Royal Canadian Dragoons will participate in the welcoming ceremony.
Following the welcome, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will proceed to Lansdowne Park to meet with members of community groups and members of the public. Later that day, they will travel to Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s residence and their official lodging during the visit. A ceremonial tree planting will take place at Rideau Hall with the participation of viceregal representatives and community guests. The King will then hold private audiences with both the Governor General and the Prime Minister.
On May 27, the royal couple will be transported by Canada’s State Landau, a traditional horse-drawn carriage used for formal state occasions, accompanied by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride, along Wellington Street to the Senate.
Upon arrival at the Senate, King Charles will receive full military honours, including a royal salute, a 100-member guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, and a 21-gun salute. The King will then deliver the Speech from the Throne, officially opening the 45th session of Parliament.
It is the first time a reigning monarch has delivered this address since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The speech is traditionally presented by the Governor General, making this a rare ceremonial occasion in Canada’s constitutional monarchy.
Before departing, Their Majesties will lay a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in tribute to Canadian military personnel who have died in service.
This visit is King Charles III’s twentieth to Canada and Queen Camilla’s sixth. Their last visit was in 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
2025 Royal Visit itinerary
- May 26, 2025: Arrival to Canada
- 1:50 pm – Community gathering at Lansdowne Park (open to the public)
- 2:50 pm – Ceremonial tree planting at Rideau Hall (open to the public)
- Audience with the Governor General of Canada
- Audience with the Prime Minister of Canada
- May 27, 2025
- 9:50 am – Departure for the Senate of Canada Building (open to the public)
- 10:15 am – Arrival at the Senate of Canada Building (open to the public)
- 11 am – Speech from the Throne
- 11:55 am – Wreath laying at the National War Memorial (open to the public)
- Departure from Canada