When King Charles delivers the Speech from the Throne on Parliament Hill, he’ll mark a historic milestone: he will be the first reigning monarch to sit on Canada’s newly crafted throne.

Canada’s original thrones date back to 1878, commissioned for the arrival of the Marquess of Lorne and his wife, Princess Louise, who were coming from Britain to serve as Canada’s Governor General and viceregal consort. Crafted from oak by Toronto-based Holbrook & Mollington, the monarch’s throne bore the royal coat of arms, while the consort’s featured Princess Louise’s personal emblem.

These thrones have sat in the Senate chamber ever since, used by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their 1939 visit, and again by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1957 and 1977.

However, the Centre Block of Parliament in Ottawa — home to the Senate and House of Commons — is currently undergoing major renovations. As a result, a new pair of thrones was commissioned in 2017 to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary.

The new thrones were made from English walnut wood donated by Queen Elizabeth II from Great Windsor Park. Designed by Dominion Sculptor Phil White, the Neoclassical thrones reflect the architectural style of Parliament Hill. The monarch’s throne features Queen Elizabeth II’s royal cypher, while the consort’s throne is adorned with crowns and Canadian symbols.

Although the new thrones were completed during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, she never sat on them. Her last visit to Canada was in 2010. That honor now falls to King Charles, who becomes the first monarch to use these newly designed seats of state. Photo by Makaristos, Wikimedia commons.