Justin Trudeau has faced intense backlash after a clip emerged of him singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody after a dinner just two days before Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.
The Prime Minister of Canada was filmed singing Freddie Mercury’s iconic song during an impromptu session at Corinthia Hotel, London, during the official period of mourning just days before Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Canada’s premier, 50, arrived in England following the Queen Elizabeth’s death to join world leaders at her monumental funeral on Monday morning.
Wearing a casual maroon t-shirt, Trudeau was seen standing over a piano during an ad lib singalong with other members of his formal delegation in the lobby of the central London hotel.
It’s understood that Gregory Charles, a renowned musician from Quebec, was playing the keys while others joined in the tune on Saturday night.
Trudeau was heard hitting the infamous notes, along with Queen’s lyrics: ‘Easy come, easy go. Little high, little low.’
‘TONE DEAF’: Canada’s Prime Minister has been slammed for singing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody with a pianist in the lobby of a central London hotel just two days before the Queen’s formal state funeral
TRUDEAU AT THE QUEEN’S FUNERAL: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Trudeau leave Westminster Abbey after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II receives Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau during an audience at Windsor Castle, on Monday March 7, 2022
The Prime Minister, whose country recognized the Queen – and now King Charles – as their official head of state, harmonized with the pianist during the short clip.
It was filmed after the delegation attended a dinner on Saturday night.
However, the unearthed video has caused fury online – as many slammed the premier for the jollity just 48 hours before the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey and her burial.
The beloved monarch died at the age of 96 on Thursday September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
One furious person wrote online: ‘Curious as to how you can qualify this as paying tribute to the life and service of Her Majesty? Because they were singing music from Queen? That’s rather crass!’
Another fuming onlooker added: ‘Paying tribute? How tone deaf do you have to be to think this is somehow a tribute? This is an embarrassment.’
A third said: ‘Singing drunkenly is a ‘tribute’? What an embarrassment.’ There is no indication that the Prime Minister had been drinking before singing at the piano on Saturday night.
Queen Elizabeth greets Justin Trudeau in a receiving line for the Queen’s Dinner for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Buckingham Palace on April 19, 2018
Trudeau signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House, in London in London on September 17, 2022, following the death of Her Majesty
King Charles III sits with Justin Trudeau, as he receives realm prime ministers in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace on September 17, 2022 in London, England
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a meeting at 10 Downing Street in central London on September 18, 2022
Another blasted the Prime Minister for his actions, considering the circumstances of his trip: ‘It’s an unbecoming, undignified display and completely inappropriate given the circumstances and his position.’
A fifth said: ‘Trudeau sure seems to have a heavy heart as he fools around at a bar last night. I thought he was in mourning?’
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: ‘After dinner on Saturday, 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.
‘Over the past 10 days, the Prime Minister has taken part in various activities to pay his respects for the Queen and today, the entire delegation is taking part in the State Funeral.’
Trudeau, who has served as held office in Canada since 2015, has been at the center of multiple scandals – including when images of him in blackface were uncovered.
He made a series of apologies after the 2001 photograph of him emerged in brown face at an Arabian Nights party when he was a teacher. He also referred to a high school incident where he dressed up as Harry Belafonte to sing the Jamaican song Day-O.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk