(OTTAWA) Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson are to be part of Queen Elizabeth II’s eulogy at a memorial service Monday in Ottawa.
Posted at 8:48 p.m.
Quebec artists Rufus Wainwright and Ginette Reno will also perform songs in tribute to the Queen, according to new details the federal government has released of commemorative events planned for the day of her state funeral in London.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, PRESS ARCHIVES
Rufus Wainwright
Donald Booth, Canadian Secretary to the King, and Brigadier General Guy Bélisle, Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces, are due to read prayers during the service at Christ Church Cathedral, which will begin at 1 p.m. and will be televised and broadcast live.
Prior to the event, a commemorative parade will begin at 12:10 p.m. from the Cartier Armory to the Cathedral for the start of the ceremony.
The parade will include two mounted RCMP Musical Ride detachments, a 100-person military honor guard, several marching bands, 17 honorary bearers and a color bearer.
During the parade, a 96-gun salute — one for each year of the Queen’s life — will be fired from LeBreton Flats, across from the Canadian War Museum.
The religious service will also feature a tribute from Albert Dumont, Ottawa’s English-speaking Poet Laureate and Algonquin Spiritual Advisor.
And in addition to contributions from Rufus Wainwright and Ginette Reno, the ceremony will include “musical interludes” presented by Canadian artists, including violinist David Baik and author, playwright, producer and director Tomson Highway, who will be accompanied by singer Patricia Cano and saxophonist Marcus Ali.
The national anthem will be performed by singer and comedian Kim Richardson.
The celebrants will be Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Beth Bretzlaff and Bishop Shane Parker of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.
Dignitaries, diplomats and politicians, including former Prime Minister Joe Clark, are expected to be in the room.
The public will also be able to follow the event on large screens in front of the Garden of the Provinces and Territories on Wellington Street.
At the end of the service, Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets will fly over the Cathedral and Parliament Hill.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Mary Simon and a delegation including a handful of their predecessors are expected to attend the funeral in London, which will mark the end of a period of official mourning that began at his death last week.