In a video circulating on social media, Trudeau can be seen standing over a piano singing “easy come, easy go, little high little low. Anyway the wind blows,” from the hit song by British rock band Queen. The serenade took place Saturday night in a hotel lobby, according to a statement from Trudeau’s office. WATCHES | Trudeau sings Bohemian Rhapsody days before Queen’s funeral:
Trudeau sings Bohemian Rhapsody days before Queen’s funeral
A video posted on social media shows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau singing Bohemian Rhapsody in a hotel lobby days before attending Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral in London, United Kingdom. Trudeau was joined by other members of the Canadian delegation, including musician and Order of Canada member Gregory Charles, who played the lobby piano. “Charles, a renowned musician from Quebec and a recipient of the Order of Canada, played the piano in the hotel lobby, which resulted in some members of the delegation joining in, including the Prime Minister,” the statement said. However, some on social media took issue with Trudeau singing for fun while in the UK to represent Canada at the Queen’s funeral, which took place on Monday. “He’s there as a representative of Canada to mourn the death of our head of state and that’s what he decides to do? Sorry, that’s completely irresponsible,” said a Twitter user with the account name Jeff Waldman. Others compared the situation to former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson because he kept a staff party on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral. But others came to the prime minister’s defence, arguing that the sing-along was not held during an official event. “Singing on the piano when it’s off isn’t a problem,” said Twitter user Ash Catherman. NDP MP Charlie Angus tweeted that while he has some issues with the prime minister, he had no problem with Trudeau’s song — except for his song choice. “I think he could have chosen a better song [than] Bohemian Rhapsody,” Angus wrote. Carleton University political science professor Jonathan Malloy said there is little time for cheerfulness even in times of mourning. “The prime minister doesn’t need to be in sackcloth and ashes for ten days to mourn the queen,” he wrote in an email to the CBC. “Funerals and wakes often have moments of camaraderie and joy, and this one is no different. It deserves a light social time.” Trudeau was part of a delegation that included former prime ministers, governors general and Order of Canada recipients. About 2,000 people, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, attended the service at London’s Westminster Abbey. The Queen was later buried with her husband Prince Philip, her parents and the ashes of her sister Princess Margaret.
