With less than two weeks to go before Charles III is officially crowned King, details on who will represent Canada at his coronation — including the prime minister — remain decidedly murky.
Questions surrounding who will, and won’t, be travelling across the pond for the May 6 coronation at Westminster Abbey have swirled around Parliament Hill for months.
Specifically, the attendance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains an official question mark as the coronation takes place during the 2023 Liberal national convention, scheduled to descend upon Ottawa from May 4 to 6.
Preliminary agendas posted online list the PM as only taking part in the convention’s opening remarks.
Sources within the PMO say the prime minister has plans to attend, but no official details were provided.
References in the government’s most recent announcement on Canada’s official delegation are identical to a March 16 PMO press release.
“Dignitaries from the table of precedence for Canada, including members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, prominent Canadians, and supporters of causes dear to His Majesty, will be in attendance,” read the statement from Canadian Heritage.
Inquires by the National Post to Canadian Heritage and Rideau Hall went unanswered.
Privy Council Office spokesperson Stéphane Shank confirmed that Governor General Mary Simon will indeed attend the coronation, but added that further details on Canada’s official delegation will be announced “in due course.”
Canada’s delegation last year for the Queen’s funeral included the prime minister, the governor general, former prime ministers Stephen Harper, Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien, as well as Order of Canada recipients Mark Tewksbury, Gregory Charles, and Sandra Oh.
Internal concerns by government staffers over the prime minister’s impending coronation attendance grew following revelations of a pricey hotel stay during the Queen’s funeral last year, with officials suggesting greater attention be paid on avoiding similar controversies this May.
Meanwhile, Canada finally unveiled plans for Canadians looking for publicly celebrate the coronation.
Ottawa’s coronation day celebrations begin with an hour-long ceremony at the Sir John A. Macdonald building at Wellington and O’Connor Streets, promising to bring together “artists and speakers who reflect the values that Canada and His Majesty share, such as protecting the environment, service to others, and celebrating our country’s diversity,” according to a government announcement.
Canada Post also has plans to unveil Canada’s first postage stamp featuring the King’s image.
On May 6 and 7, free activities will be available on the grounds of Rideau Hall, which will include viewings of a recording of the official coronation ceremony from London, and music provided by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Local events are also planned across Canada, hosted by provincial and territorial lieutenants governor.
Canada’s coronation observances will conclude with a 21-gun salute fired from Parliament Hill.
The festivities will be a somewhat muted affair compared to Elizabeth II’s coronation 70 years ago, with the King opting for a pared-down ceremony and truncated procession routes.
• Email: bpassifiume@postmedia.com | Twitter:
Post a Comment