A spokesperson for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to critics after video surfaced of him singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” while in London for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral services.
“After dinner on Saturday, [the] prime minister joined a small gathering with members of the Canadian delegation, who have come together to pay tribute to the life and service of Her Majesty,” the spokesperson explained in a statement.
The statement went on to add several details — namely that the pianist with whom Trudeau was singing was actually a renowned musician who also hailed from Canada.
“Gregory Charles, a renowned musician from Quebec and Order of Canada recipient, played piano in the hotel lobby which resulted in some members of the delegation including the prime minister joining,” the spokesperson continued, later adding, “The prime minister has taken part in various activities to pay his respects for the Queen.”
Charles, one of the delegates from Canada invited to attend the late queen’s funeral, told The Globe and Mail that he had just sat down to entertain the other members of the delegation. “Everyone sang with me for two hours. That was the feeling, that was a lot of fun,” he said.
The prime minister took some backlash after the video — showing Trudeau singing along beside a piano, dressed in a dark red t-shirt — began to circulate on Twitter.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s team is defending his actions, after he was caught singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at a London hotel ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. https://t.co/R7YalVuekF pic.twitter.com/KIanbn5wJR
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 20, 2022
“When the queen passed, I remarked in the morning staff meeting: ‘I’m already embarrassed about Trudeau’s future performance at the funeral,'” Sheila Gunn Reid tweeted. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but that is one predictable idiot right there.”
“I don’t think that Justin Trudeau singing Bohemian Rhapsody was disrespectful to the queen but I know enough about karaoke to assume it was disrespectful to Queen,” music journalist Adam Feibel added.
I don't think that Justin Trudeau singing Bohemian Rhapsody was disrespectful to the queen but I know enough about karaoke to assume it was disrespectful to Queen
— Adam Feibel (@adamfeibel) September 19, 2022
“So many on radio and here saying @JustinTrudeau latest antics in London are ‘no big deal.’ ‘We all grieve in our own ways.’ Wrong,” former Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici tweeted. “He is the @CanadianPM representing [Canada] at a week of mourning for the Queen. Our head of state. This isn’t about Justin. But he should grow up.”
So many on radio and here saying…@JustinTrudeau latest antics in London are “no big deal.” “We all grieve in our own ways.”
Wrong.
He is the @CanadianPM representing 🇨🇦 at a week of mourning for the Queen. Our head of state.
This isn’t about Justin. But he should grow up.— Vivian Bercovici (@VivianBercovici) September 19, 2022