As expected, there was little reaction from politicians here to the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, while dignitaries around the world sent their congratulations to the monarch.
Neither Prime Minister François Legault nor Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante communicated anything about the king’s enthronement. It should also be remembered that Quebec does not organize formal events either, unlike the majority of provinces and territories in the country.
It was mainly the negative reactions that were heard in Quebec. The Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which militates in particular for the promotion of French in Quebec, even went there with an original proposal.
The organization sent a telegram to Buckingham Palace, which states, among other things, that “for [la] Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal founded in 1834 by [des] patriots, [la] British monarchy, it’s stop”.
“We chose to use an archaic means of communication, the telegram, to address an even more archaic institution, the monarchy,” said Marie-Anne Alepin, the company’s president.
Justin Trudeau in London
Michel Doyon, the lieutenant-governor of Quebec, is one of the only Quebec dignitaries to have commented on the coronation. “During his years as Crown Prince, His Majesty has demonstrated his commitment, his sense of duty as well as an attachment to his homeland, but also to the Commonwealth, including Canada,” he reacted.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, was present at the event in London, as were the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, and astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Shortly after the ceremony, the Prime Minister issued a statement reiterating “Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth.”
In Montreal, in addition to the few informal events organized in honor of the king, the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge — partially under federal jurisdiction — will be illuminated on Saturday and Sunday evening for the occasion. It is the emerald green color that was chosen to represent the monarch, green being very present in several symbols of the crown.
The world turned to the UK
The enthronement of Charles III was also highlighted around the world. Not only were various ceremonies held throughout the states of the Commonwealth, but the rulers of several countries also sent their support to the king.
“The long friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom is a source of strength for our two peoples,” said US President Joe Biden, saying he was “proud” that his wife Jill represents the United States at the ceremony in London.
French President Emmanuel Macron, present at Westminster Abbey, meanwhile congratulated the King and Queen Camilla on their coronation, greeting “friends of France”, in a tweet on Saturday.
Moreover, the more tense relations between Beijing and the West in recent times have not prevented Chinese President Xi Jinping from reacting to the event. Congratulating the new British sovereign, Mr. Xi called on London to implement a long-term strategy for “peace” and “cooperation”.
“China and the UK, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, should adopt a strategic and long-term approach to promote the historic movement towards peace, development and win-win cooperation,” did he declare.
With Agence France-Presse