Canada’s plans to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 will include a musical performance by Algonquin artists and a gun salute, Canadian Heritage revealed Monday.
According to a press release issued Monday by the government department, a coronation celebration event will take place on May 6 beginning at 10 a.m. EDT. The event, which will take place at 144 Wellington St. in Ottawa, will include performances by the Algonquin Eagle River Singers, slam poet Sabrina Benaim, singer-songwriter Florence K, the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and traditional music group Inn Echo.
“The celebratory event will bring together performers and
speakers who reflect values shared by Canada and Her Majesty, such as
protecting the environment, serving others and celebrating our country’s
diversity,” the statement read. press. “These performances will be an
opportunity to honor this historic moment and the values we hold dear.”
Although King Charles acceded to the throne upon the death
of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, his coronation ceremony will take
place at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6. Other celebratory and community
events are scheduled across the UK over coronation weekend, culminating in a
bank holiday on May 8. This is the first coronation to take place in 70 years,
since Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremony in 1953.
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada has proclaimed King
Charles head of state.
In addition to musical performances, the hour-long event
will also include speeches by Albert Dumont, an Algonquian spiritual advisor,
and Farah Alibay, an aerospace engineer. During the event, Canada Post is also
expected to unveil the first Canadian stamp featuring an image of King Charles
III to mark the coronation.
“This continues a long-standing tradition of issuing
definitive stamps representing the Canadian sovereign, dating back more than
170 years,” Jo-Anne Polak, Canada Post’s senior vice president of corporate and
employee communications, said in the statement. press.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority will also unveil updated
emblems to represent the change in reign, and muralist Dominic Laporte will
produce live artwork throughout the event.
Celebrations on May 6 will conclude with a 21-gun salute on
Parliament Hill. There will also be a performance by the Serenade of Strings
Canadian Forces Central Band to “highlight the King’s lifelong connection to
the Canadian Armed Forces.”
Dignitaries of Canada’s Table of Precedence, including
members of the King’s Privy Council of Canada, are expected to attend the
event. Others who will attend include prominent Canadians and supporters of
causes considered important to the King.
In addition to a live stream, the event will be available to
view on Canadian Heritage’s YouTube channel and Crown in Canada’s Facebook
account.
CELEBRATIONS
ACROSS THE FIELD
On May 6 and 7, there will be free activities at the Rideau
Hall in Ottawa on the occasion of the King’s coronation. Members of the public
will be able to visit the Governor General’s residence, grounds and greenhouse.
A recording of the coronation ceremony will also be viewable and musical
performances will be provided by the Canadian Armed Forces Central Band. Rideau
Hall will be open to visitors from 1 pm to 5 pm EDT on May 6 and 7.
As previously noted by Canadian Heritage, the Peace Tower
and other federal buildings in Canada’s capital region will be lit up emerald
green throughout the weekend to mark the King’s coronation. Landmarks across
the country are also encouraged to do the same.
Finally, some Canadian Lieutenant Governors and Territorial
Commissioners will invite residents to participate in activities organized
within their local communities to commemorate the coronation. These include
military parades, tree plantings, and exhibitions.
WHAT WILL CANADA’S PARTICIPATION IN LONDON BE LIKE?
According to Canadian Heritage, members of the RCMP Musical
Ride will participate in the coronation of King Charles in London. The Musical
Ride is a special unit of horses and riders who perform cavalry exercises
choreographed to music.
Former Musical Ride horses George, Elizabeth, Sir John,
Darby and Noble, all of whom were gifts to the Royal Family, will participate.
The Canadian Armed Forces is also sending a coronation
marching contingent, consisting of 16 members of the Canadian Army, 11 members
of the Royal Canadian Navy, 11 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, six
members of Canada’s Special Operations Command, and a member of the Royal
Military College. These people have been selected based on their personal
merits, according to Canadian Heritage.
FUNDING FOR OTHER INITIATIVES
Canadian Heritage also announced that it will provide
$257,000 in funding to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, through the
Canada History Fund. The fund is designed to support the creation of learning
materials and activities that increase Canadians’ knowledge of Canadian
history.
This money will support the production of educational
materials to commemorate the coronation of King Charles and his relationship
with Canada. These resources will focus on environmental protection and
reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
