The Crown and its symbols are woven into the fabric of our daily lives: The Queen’s likeness appears on our currency and our stamps; the Royal Arms of Canada appear on buildings and official seals; museums and institutions bear the title of Crown corporations; passports issued in Canada invoke The Queen’s authority on their inside cover; and the names of the ships of the Royal Canadian Navy, which represent Canada around the world, are each marked by the prefix HMCS – Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship.
Canada now has a new Sovereign. His Majesty’s effigy or likeness will, over time, be included on a range of official documents and in services, ceremonies and activities that reflect the Crown in Canada.
Accession
The accession is the moment when a new Sovereign assumes the throne upon the death of the previous King or Queen. The King automatically became Sovereign of Canada on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Members of The Queen’s Privy Council for Canada will assemble to proclaim the accession of the new Sovereign.
The accession event in Canada will be held at Rideau Hall on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. A proclamation will be issued on the authority of an order in council to announce the demise of the Crown and the accession to the throne of the new Sovereign.
The date of His Majesty’s coronation will be announced at a later date by Buckingham Palace.
The timing of His Majesty’s first official visit to Canada as Sovereign has not yet been determined.
Canadian currency, passports, and official documents
Canadian currency that bears the image of Her Majesty remains legal tender and can still be used. This is also the case with passports and other official documents.
Her Majesty’s portrait
Protocol states that Her Majesty’s portrait should remain up until the day after the funeral. It is then removed and replaced with the portrait of the new Sovereign, when it becomes available. This will be produced in due course and may take some time.
The portrait of Her Majesty can be kept as a souvenir.
Allegiance
People who have sworn allegiance to Her Majesty do not need to swear allegiance to the new Sovereign.
Honorary positions and military appointments
Her Majesty’s honorary positions and military appointments do not automatically transfer to the new Sovereign.
All enquiries pertaining to honorary appointments or the use of the word “Royal” should be sent to:
Address
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0A1
Patronages
Queen Elizabeth II championed public and voluntary service around the world. Her Majesty was patron of more than 600 charities and organizations, of which 36 are in Canada.
Some of Her Majesty’s patronages may request that another member of the Royal Family become their patron. For questions or assistance on how to proceed, please contact the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
Address
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0A1
Royal Anthem
Canada’s Royal Anthem, “God Save The Queen” has become “God Save The King” with the new Monarch.
Royal cypher
The royal cypher – the personal device or monogram of The Queen that is used on the insignia of Canadian orders, decorations and medals, and on various badges – will no longer be used. The royal cypher will become the personal cypher of the new Sovereign, who may wish to use a different artistic representation of the Royal Crown.
The personal Canadian flag of the Sovereign will also change.
Governor General of Canada and lieutenant governors
The Governor General of Canada and the lieutenant governors remain in office.
The Governor General and the ten lieutenant governors represent the Crown in Canada and act on behalf of the Sovereign, Canada’s Head of State.
Find more information on the Governor General of Canada and lieutenant governors.
Canada’s Coat of Arms
Changes to Canada’s Coat of Arms are not required. However, should a revised artistic representation of the Royal Crown be adopted by the new Sovereign, the style of the Royal Crown included in the Arms of Canada may eventually be modified accordingly by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, at the request of the Government of Canada.
Learn more about the Coat of Arms – or Arms of Canada.
Constitutional monarchy
As per the terms of the Canadian Constitution, Canada will continue to be a constitutional monarchy.
