The Swedish royal family is arriving in Ottawa today for a rare three-day state visit — their first trip to Canada since 2006 — accompanied by senior government ministers and a major delegation of Swedish business leaders.
King Carl XVI Gustaf, Sweden’s longest-serving monarch, and Queen Silvia will begin their visit with a formal welcome at Rideau Hall, where Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Canadian officials will greet them. The royal couple will then take part in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before heading to Parliament Hill for meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other federal leaders.
The visit underscores a growing partnership between Canada and Sweden, with both nations expected to reaffirm strong support for Ukraine at an event later today. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will meet with Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch and members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community as part of the discussions.
Dozens of Swedish companies are also in Canada for the visit, signaling a push to deepen commercial ties in areas such as clean technology, defence, innovation and sustainability.
The day will conclude with a state dinner at Rideau Hall in honour of the King and Queen — a highlight of the visit and a symbolic gesture of the longstanding friendship between the two countries.