A spokesperson for Justin Trudeau has defended the Canadian prime minister over a leaked video that confirmed him singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody in a London lodge foyer two days earlier than Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
The 14-second video clip, seen greater than 1.5m instances, exhibits Trudeau in a T-shirt leaning towards a piano on the Corinthia lodge and becoming a member of others in a rendition of one of many rock band Queen’s most well-known songs.
Trudeau might be heard singing “Simple come, straightforward go, little excessive, little low” and “Any approach the wind blows” alongside acclaimed Canadian pianist Gregory Charles.
I truly love a very good piano bar. Haven’t gone to at least one since earlier than COVID, this jogs my memory I ought to examine one out close to me.
PM on the Savoy in London final night time singing a bit of Queen….for the Queen… pic.twitter.com/yyCxIRAbJl— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) September 19, 2022
The footage initially sparked heated debate over its authenticity, however Trudeau’s crew later acknowledged that the cell phone video was actual.
“After dinner on Saturday, [the] prime minister joined a small gathering with members of the Canadian delegation, who’ve come collectively to pay tribute to the life and repair of Her Majesty,” mentioned a spokesperson for the prime minister, including that Trudeau had “taken half in numerous actions” to pay respect to Elizabeth II whereas in London.
The spokesperson mentioned Charles, a recipient of the Order of Canada, performed a variety of songs on the piano, “which resulted in some members of the delegation, together with the prime minister, becoming a member of”.
Charles later informed the Globe and Mail newspaper that the night reminded him of Caribbean funerals, which mix sombre moments with levity and celebration.
“Everybody sang with me for 2 hours,” he mentioned. “That was the sensation, that was a variety of enjoyable.”
At house, the prime minister was sharply criticised by some political commentators for a breach of decorum.
“Embarrassing doesn’t even start to explain it. Sure, folks generally have to let off steam. No, there’s no proof he was drunk,” Andrew Coyne, a columnist with the Globe and Mail, wrote on Twitter. “However come on – he’s the Prime Minister, in a public place, on the eve of the Queen’s funeral. And that is how he behaves?”
Others mentioned the fuss was akin to a manufactured controversy.
Political commentator David Moscrop tweeted: “*asteroid hurtles in the direction of earth, leaving humankind with months to reside. Solely a final ditch collective effort will save the planet – and the species* Canada Twitter: let’s do a forensic evaluation of when exactly the prime minister sang a janky rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Lawyer and creator Mark Bourrie wrote that he wished others to “sing as a lot as you want within the days main as much as my funeral”.
“Sea shanties, soiled songs we sang collectively as youngsters, tunes we blasted at 10 on the stereo, songs from information we picked out collectively, songs we heard collectively at concert events, he tweeted. “Have a good time life.”
Trudeau, who attended the state funeral alongside members of the Canadian delegation, has beforehand mentioned the Queen, who he met on a variety of events, was “one among my favorite folks on the planet”.
