Fact Check: "King Charles III approved the new Great Seal of Canada during his royal visit in late May 2023."
What We Know
The claim that King Charles III approved the new Great Seal of Canada during a royal visit in late May 2023 is incorrect. According to multiple sources, including the official Governor General of Canada website, King Charles III approved the new design for the Great Seal of Canada during his royal visit on May 26 and 27, 2025. This new design incorporates elements that symbolize Canadian sovereignty and identity, including a permanent central disc featuring the Canadian Royal Crown, which was specifically designed for the Canadian monarchy and approved by the King in 2023.
Analysis
The assertion that the approval occurred in May 2023 is misleading. The official announcement from the Governor General's office clearly states that the approval took place during the royal visit in May 2025, not 2023. This discrepancy indicates a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the timeline surrounding the approval of the Great Seal.
Furthermore, the design itself is described as a hybrid, featuring both permanent elements and those that will change with each monarch, which aligns with the traditional role of the Great Seal in Canadian governance. The CTV News report corroborates the timeline, confirming that the new design was approved during the 2025 visit, thus reinforcing the conclusion that the claim is false.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Governor General's website being an official government resource, and CTV News being a reputable news outlet. Both provide accurate information regarding the timeline and details of the Great Seal's design approval.
Conclusion
The claim that King Charles III approved the new Great Seal of Canada during his royal visit in late May 2023 is False. The approval actually took place during his visit on May 26 and 27, 2025, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources. The confusion likely arises from a misinterpretation of the dates involved in the approval process.
