Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made headlines at King Charles III’s historic Speech from the Throne in Ottawa, wearing bright turquoise and orange Adidas Gazelle sneakers instead of traditional formal footwear. While the sartorial choice was seen as unconventional for a royal ceremony, it sparked online debates about diplomatic decorum. The event coincided with King Charles’ symbolic visit to Canada, which followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Canada might become the 51st U.S. state. The monarch’s address emphasized Canada’s independence and resilience, reinforcing the nation’s resolve against such annexation proposals.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Canada for a significant two-day visit, his first since becoming monarch in 2022. The king, 76, is currently undergoing cancer treatment and has kept a limited schedule, but the decision to travel to Ottawa was widely seen as a symbolic gesture of support for Canada during a time of tension. The visit followed repeated comments by President Donald Trump suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States, remarks that were publicly rejected by Canadian leaders.
Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the king to open Canada’s 45th session of Parliament, making him the first monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. Carney has previously stated that Canada