Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a statement after he was filmed singing the Queen song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ just a matter of days before he was set to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The world leader had received some – admittedly fairly bizarre – criticism for his actions, which took place in a hotel bar in London. In fact, he’s now been forced to respond through a spokesperson.
You can see the video that sparked the whole controversy below:
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A statement explained: "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.
"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 statement added that Trudeau had ‘taken part in various activities to pay his respects for the Queen’.
In the aftermath of the video emerging, some had claimed that the Canadian top man’s behaviour was in some way disrespectful to the Queen.
In truth, the song choice is slightly unfortunate, but he surely can’t be expected to spend his every waking moment in some sort of state of extreme grief, right?
After all, he was just having a bit of fun.
The video showed Trudeau singing the classic hit whilst being accompanied by a pianist in the hotel bar of the Corinthia hotel in London, where the delegation from Canada was staying.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said that the video was genuine, although it hasn’t been made public who actually filmed it.
As the Queen was Canada’s head of state, Trudeau had earlier declared that the date of her funeral yesterday was to be a national day of mourning.
The musician accompanying the piano was Gregory Charles, who is from Quebec and has previously been recognised with the Order of Canada.
In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Charles said that singing with the PM was ‘a lot of fun’ and reminded him of other funerals where the solemnity of the event is also mixed with more of a celebratory air.
However, one commentator said: "Embarrassing doesn't even begin to cover it. He's the prime minister, in a public place, on the eve of the Queen's funeral. And this is how he behaves?"
Another said: "He is the Canadian prime minister representing Canada at a week of mourning for the Queen.
“Our head of state. This isn't about Justin. But he should grow up."
Others have taken a more light-hearted view, however, as one commentator said: "He's... singing. Of all the embarrassing things Justin Trudeau has said and done, this doesn't rank."
Another joked: "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."
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Topics: Canada, Justin Trudeau, Royal Family, The Queen, UK News, World News
Tom Wood