King Charles undertakes first royal engagement since returning from Canada

King Charles 'symbolic gesture' to Canada amid ongoing feud with Donald Trump
GB News
Marcus Donaldson

By Marcus Donaldson


Published: 04/06/2025

- 20:45

A historic new addition to a historic building was dedicated to the King at the engagement

King Charles has formally returned to royal duties as he attended a special service marking four centuries since The Queen's Chapel at St James's Palace was completed.

The 76-year-old monarch made his first royal engagement on Wednesday after turning from a landmark two-day trip to Canada, where he observed the opening of the country's parliament.



The celebration was held at the London palace, which had been built by Henry VII and was home to the Kings and Queens of England for centuries.

King Charles witnessed musical performances from the Gentleman and Children of His Majesty's Chapel Royal Choir, who are based at the palace.

King Charles

Charles attended The Queen's Chapel at St James's Palace in his first royal engagement since returning from Canada

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The Duchess of Edinburgh's String Orchestra will also perform during the service, alongside the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry Band.

The congregation included ecumenical representatives from German Lutheran and Jesuit churches in London, acknowledging the chapel's historical role as a place of worship for European courtiers at the royal court.

Following the service, the King viewed a newly commissioned ceremonial ciborium, a large covered cup designed to hold hosts for the Eucharist.

The "His Majesty King Charles III Ciboria" represents the first new piece of Chapel plate to be created since 1688.

King Charles

The King observed a special service at the chapel which featured The Duchess of Edinburgh's String Orchestra

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The ciborium features the Green Man symbol, which was one of the prominent emblems used during the King's coronation.

This ceremonial vessel was crafted by Tim Lukes, a silversmith based in St Ives, Cornwall.

It is a significant addition to the Chapel's collection, marking both the 400th anniversary celebrations and the current reign's contribution to the Chapel's historic treasures.

At the event, Charles wore a blue pinstripe suit and a light blue tie.

The Queen's Chapel was designed by renowned architect Inigo Jones in 1623 and completed in 1625.

The Queen's Chapel at St James's Palace

The Queen's Chapel has been was designed by renowned architect Inigo Jones in 1623

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Originally commissioned for the planned marriage of the future Charles I to Infanta Maria Anna of Spain and Holy Roman Empress, the union never materialised.

Following the Restoration, Christopher Wren restored and enlarged the chapel in 1660. The building underwent another complete restoration in 1938, when it was given over to the use of the Chapel Royal.

The chapel's 400-year history reflects its significance as both a royal place of worship and a testament to early 17th-century architectural achievement.

Charles' visit came a week after he and Queen Camilla were in Canada to observe the opening of the North American nation's parliament.

King Charles

The King was recently in Canada to issue a landmark speech before Canadian lawmakers

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The King was in Ottawa in his capacity as Canada's monarch and delivered a speech to the gathered lawmakers.

In his speech, Charles called the True North, another name for Canada, "strong and free" in his opening speech.

Upon leaving Canada, the King and Queen issued a statement.

"As my wife and I leave Canada, we wanted to send our most heartfelt thanks to all those who turned out to offer their support on this, my first visit as sovereign," Charles and Camilla said.

"It was the warmest of welcomes - and the fondest of returns to a land and a people we love," they added, concluding with: "Until the next time, au revoir, Canada, et avec tous nos remerciements."