King Charles approves a new Great Seal of Canada

The Governor General of Canada’s office has shared the new Great Seal of Canada. King Charles approved the design while he was visiting Canada on 26 and 27 May, a design that represents him individually and the crown. 

There are two distinct pieces of the Great Seal. The outer ring is specific to King Charles and will be changed for each reign accordingly; it reads “CHARLES III • KING OF CANADA • ROI DU CANADA”. 

The central disc will be permanent and will not change for each reign. The Royal Canadian Crown is at the centre of the disc. King Charles approved the design in April 2023, it melds both traditional symbols of the monarchy and unique symbols of Canada. 

The disc also calls back to the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, at the heart of the Canadian monarchy. 

The Governor General’s office explains, it includes “a decorative element alluding to the architecture of the rotunda in Confederation Hall in the Centre Block of Parliament. This feature alludes to parliament as the focal point of Canadian democracy; it also makes a subtle allusion to earlier great seals of Canada which included depictions of architectural arches and columns”.

The Great Seal represents the Crown in Canada and the seal is used to authenticate official documents. While the Governor General does receive it formally, the Registrar General of Canada is charged with keeping it.