Fact Check: "The Great Seal of Canada features a central disc that is permanent and a ring that can change based on the reigning monarch."
What We Know
The Great Seal of Canada is an official emblem used to authenticate important state documents issued in the name of the Canadian monarch. It consists of two main components: a central disc and an outer ring. The central disc is designed to be permanent, featuring the Canadian Royal Crown, while the outer ring is specific to the reigning monarch and can be changed with each new monarch. This design allows for continuity in the seal's core elements while accommodating changes in monarchy (source-1, source-2).
The Great Seal has evolved since its establishment in 1867, reflecting Canada's transition from a British dominion to an independent realm. The Seals Act of 1939 allowed the Great Seal of Canada to be used for royal instruments, replacing the British Great Seal of the Realm for Canadian purposes (source-1). The recent approval of a new design by King Charles III emphasizes the permanent nature of the central disc and the changeable nature of the outer ring, which will read "CHARLES III • KING OF CANADA • ROI DU CANADA" (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that the Great Seal of Canada features a permanent central disc and a changeable outer ring is supported by multiple reliable sources. The Wikipedia entry on the Great Seal of Canada outlines its historical significance and structural components, confirming that the central disc is indeed permanent while the outer ring can be modified to reflect the current monarch (source-1).
Further corroboration comes from the official Government of Canada website, which explicitly states that the outer ring is specific to the reigning monarch and will change accordingly, while the central disc remains unchanged (source-2). Additional news articles also report on the new design approved by King Charles III, reiterating the same details about the seal's structure (source-6, source-7).
The sources cited are credible, as they include both government publications and reputable news outlets. The information is consistent across these sources, indicating a high level of reliability.
Conclusion
The claim that "The Great Seal of Canada features a central disc that is permanent and a ring that can change based on the reigning monarch" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the structural design of the Great Seal, with a permanent central disc and a changeable outer ring reflecting the current monarch.
Sources
- Great Seal of Canada - Wikipedia
- Great Seal of Canada - Government of Canada
- His Majesty King Charles III approves new Great Seal of Canada - Yahoo Finance
- His Majesty King Charles III approves new Great Seal of Canada - Government of Canada
- King Charles approves new Great Seal of Canada - Royal Central
- Royal news: King Charles III approves new Great Seal of Canada - CTV News
- Royal news: King Charles III approves new Great Seal of Canada - CP24
- How exactly does one design a Great Seal? - Substack