King Charles III is in Canada today ahead of his speech from the throne in Ottawa tomorrow.

The visit, Charles’ first to the country since becoming King, will mark just the third time in Canadian history that a reigning monarch will read the speech.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the visit is a “reminder of the bond between Canada and the Crown,” arguing that the purpose of the visit “matches the weight of our times.”

Carney says the visit speaks to tradition, friendship, the “vitality of (the) constitutional monarchy” and Canada’s “distinct identity,” and the “historic ties that crises only fortify.”

Political scientist with Dalhousie University, Lori Turnbull, argues that the visit is a statement about Canada’s sovereignty.

She says it is an opportunity to show that Canada is a sovereign state, and is not “up here waiting to be taken as the 51st state.” Turnbull says US President Donald Trump “loves” the monarchy and the King, and the visit “won’t go unnoticed” by him.