(OTTAWA) The date of the national memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II in Canada is still unknown: officials in Ottawa are eagerly awaiting confirmation in London of the date of her state funeral in the United Kingdom.
Posted at 5:15 p.m.
The Department of Canadian Heritage, however, indicates that this national ceremony will include a religious service, televised from the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. A commemorative parade, a 96-gun salute and a military parade are also planned to honor the longest-serving Canadian head of state in the history of the federation — 70 years out of 155.
Government officials in Ottawa say the national ceremony is to take place on the same day as the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey, London – the date of which is not yet known.
Despite this uncertainty about the date, the Very Reverend Beth Bretzlaff, Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, assures that preparations are already underway.
Heritage Canada indicates that this religious ceremony will be invited “representatives of governments, dignitaries and representatives of organizations with which Her Majesty has maintained close ties such as charities and military regiments”.
The national commemoration ceremony will begin with a commemorative parade in Ottawa, with members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, says Heritage Canada. A salute of one cannon shot per year of life will be fired during the parade.
After the religious ceremony, a flypast will fly over Parliament Hill and then Christ Church Cathedral. The flypast will be performed by Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s, “in formation to pay tribute to the missing.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of the Queen’s Cabinet and Privy Council in Canada are also expected to meet in the coming days to officially proclaim the accession of King Charles III to the Canadian head of state.
Mr. Trudeau was also due to sign the book of condolences on Friday evening, when he returned to Ottawa after a three-day cabinet retreat in Vancouver.
The book of condolences is also available online, on the Heritage Canada website.