PM Carney to have audience with King Charles

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, speaks with King Charles ahead of the King delivering the speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Prime Minister Mark Carney will have an audience with King Charles III on March 16, a spokesperson for the PMO told CTV News.

Carney’s audience with the King comes during a broader European trip that includes stops in Norway and the United Kingdom, where the prime minister is expected to focus on defence co-operation and ties with key allies.

The visit is part of a push by Ottawa to strengthen relationships with European partners, as geopolitical tensions and security concerns grow in the Arctic and across NATO.

Carney’s trip begins in Norway, where he is scheduled to observe the Norwegian-led NATO exercise known as “Cold Response,” a training operation held above the Arctic Circle. The exercise brings together thousands of troops from more than a dozen allied countries and is designed to test military readiness.

While in Oslo, Carney is also expected to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store to discuss areas including trade, clean energy, critical minerals and aerospace co-operation.

After Norway, Carney will travel to London for meetings with British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and other officials, aimed at reinforcing economic and defence ties between Canada and the United Kingdom.

Carney has made engagement with European allies a priority since becoming prime minister in 2025, frequently emphasizing Canada’s relationship with countries that share its commitment to NATO.