Video circulates of Trudeau singing Queen song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ ahead of Queen Elizabeth funeral
Bohemian Rhapsody #BohemianRhapsody
A video of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” by a piano ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral is inspiring mixed reaction online.
The video shows Trudeau standing in a T-shirt next to a piano, belting out a section of the classic tune. He’s accompanied on the keys by Montreal musician Gregory Charles, who along with actor Sandra Oh and swimmer Mark Tewksbury, took part in a procession of people who have received national honours and were part of Canada’s delegation for the funeral.
The video, viewed more than 1 million times, was posted to Twitter by user Lisa Power, though it is unclear who recorded it. In the caption, she wrote: “Last night at the Savoy. Our PM in the UK representing Canada for the Queen’s funeral. How do you say you were a drama teacher without saying you were a drama teacher.”
She later clarified that the video was taken in the lobby of the Corinthia Hotel, not the Savoy.
A statement from the prime minister’s press secretary confirmed that after a dinner on Saturday, Trudeau was part of a small group made up of Canadian delegates who gathered around the piano to pay tribute to the Queen.
In an interview with the Globe and Mail published Sunday, singer Charles shared that he played piano for members of the delegation, including Trudeau, and “everyone sang with me for two hours … That was the feeling, that was a lot of fun.”
Reaction online was mixed.
On Instagram, where the video was posted on @decolonizemyself, one user commended the PM.
“I don’t like politicians but i do like someone who will get up and sing at a piano bar,” wrote wanderbutch.
“He is just having fun…it’s ok,” wrote sylvie71lap
Some were embarrassed for the Prime Minister for singing ahead of the Queen’s funeral.
The video and story has since been picked up by international media outlets.
Trudeau is one of many international leaders who are in London for the Queen’s funeral service, including U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.