Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Charles III, King of Canada, has welcomed the Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada to Buckingham Palace.
The King held an audience with Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada Gregory Peters, as well as the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, Raymonde Gagne.
The Canadian Senate commissioned a new ceremonial sword to mark the King’s reign; His Majesty presented Peters with the sword at the long planned meeting.
The Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada is the most senior protocol position in parliament who oversees the Speaker’s Parade that opens a Senate sitting, in addition to other ceremonial events. The position is largely modelled on the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the House of Lords in Westminster.
Peters was first installed in the office in 2013 and is the 17th “Black Rod” of the Senate of Canada.
The meeting did not only include the presentation of the sword. The King spoke with Peters and Gange for half an hour, reportedly discussing both domestic and international issues.
King Charles welcomed outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for an audience at the beginning of March.
These meetings have come at a difficult time for the His Majesty’s Canadian realm as the nation faces a major trade war with the United States. At a military engagement last week, King Charles chose to wear his Canadian honours, seen as a silent show of support.