Global Courant 2023-05-04 02:17:13
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced the names of the Canadian contingent that will travel with him and Governor General Mary Simon to King Charles’s coronation on Saturday.
Trudeau also announced in a press release that the government will create a coronation medals program to honor 30,000 Canadians who have made “significant contributions to the country, province, territory, region or community” or accomplished something abroad that “canada to honor”. .”
The medal program comes after the Liberal government drew criticism from some monarchists after deciding last year to forego a Platinum Jubilee Medal to mark the Queen’s 70th year on the throne. It was the first time that no Jubilee Medal was awarded in Canada.
The hand-picked Canadian contingent for the coronation reflects the interests of the King – there is a focus on those with ties to science, youth issues, Indigenous affairs, the military and the fight against climate change.
The Canadian guest list includes astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who will also serve as the country’s flag bearer for the event. Hansen will travel to the moon next year as part of the Artemis II mission. He will be joined in the delegation by another Canadian astronaut, Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will serve as the Canadian flag bearer at the coronation of King Charles. (Michael Wyke/AP)
Indigenous leaders will also be present on the king’s big day, including RoseAnne Archibald, head of the National Assembly of the First Nations, Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Cassidy Caron, the president of the National Council of Métis .
Canada’s delegation will include several young leaders: Sarah Mazhero from the Prime Minister’s Youth Council; Christina Caouette, the CEO of the Young Diplomats of Canada; Rebeccah Raphael, founder of Halifax Helpers; Marguerite Tölgyesi, President of the French Canadian Youth Federation; and Maryam Tsegaye, winner of the global science competition Breakthrough Junior Challenge.
Also in attendance will be celebrated Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan, an Order of Merit recipient and Companion of the Order of Canada, and Leslie Arthur Palmer, a Cross of Valor recipient and Canadian Coast Guard member who saved famous fishermen stranded by a winter storm.
A contingent of 45 members of the Canadian Forces will take part in a military parade to be held in London following the King’s coronation service at Westminster Abbey.
That contingent includes 16 members of the Canadian Army, 11 members of the Royal Canadian Navy, 11 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, six members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and one officer cadet from the Royal Military College.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the military personnel chosen for the event were “selected on the basis of personal merit and represent the best of those serving in uniform today”.
They will march with members of the military from other Commonwealth countries.
Last week, the King attended a ceremony with the Mounties at Windsor Castle, where he accepted the honorary position of RCMP commissioner-in-chief and received a ceremonial RCMP sword.
Dressed in red serge, the Mounties will ride horses given to the late Queen Elizabeth by the RCMP, as well as Noble, a beautiful black mare who was formally presented to the King at last week’s event.
Prince Charles and Camilla watch a performance of the RCMP Musical Ride in Ottawa during their Canadian tour on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
Charles is expected to ride Noble during the Trooping of the Colour, continuing the tradition of the Sovereign riding RCMP horses to inspect the troops on the Sovereign’s birthday.
Charles currently rides the RCMP horse George, who is retiring.
To recognize the monarch’s unique relationship with the National Police, five RCMP Musical Ride members will join the coronation procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, awaiting the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort.
