Canada鈥檚 plans to commemorate King Charles III鈥檚 coronation on May 6 will include a musical performance by Algonquin artists and a gun salute, Canadian Heritage revealed on Monday.
According to a press release issued Monday by the government department, a celebratory event marking the coronation will take place on May 6 starting at 10 a.m. EDT. The event, held at 144 Wellington St. in Ottawa, will include performances by Algonquin group Eagle River Singers, slam poet Sabrina Benaim, singer鈥搒ongwriter Florence K, the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, and traditional music group Inn Echo.
鈥淭he celebratory event will bring together artists and speakers who reflect the values that Canada and His Majesty share, such as protecting the environment, service to others, and celebrating our country鈥檚 diversity,鈥 reads the press release. 鈥淭hese performances will be an opportunity to honour this historic moment and the values we cherish.鈥
Although King Charles acceded to the throne upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022, his coronation ceremony will take place in London鈥檚 Westminster Abbey on May 6. Other are scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom over the 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鈥檚 ceremony in 1953.
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada has proclaimed King Charles the head of state.
In addition to musical performances, the hour-long event will also include speeches by Albert Dumont, an Algonquin spiritual advisor, and Farah Alibay, an aerospace engineer. During the event, Canada Post is also expected to unveil the first Canadian stamp with an image of King Charles III to mark the coronation.
鈥淭his continues a long-standing tradition of issuing definitive stamps depicting the Canadian sovereign, dating back more than 170 years,鈥 said Jo-Anne Polak, Canada Post鈥檚 senior vice-president of corporate and employee communications, in the press release.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority will also reveal updated emblems to represent the change of reign, and muralist Dominic Laporte will produce a work of art live throughout the event.
Celebrations on May 6 will conclude with a 21-gun salute carried out at Parliament Hill. A performance by the Central Band of the Canadian Forces Serenade of Strings will also take place to 鈥渉ighlight the King鈥檚 life-long connection to the Canadian Armed Forces.鈥
Expected to attend the event are , including members of the King鈥檚 Privy Council for Canada. Others who will be in attendance include prominent Canadians and supporters of causes considered important to the King.
In addition to a live broadcast, the event will be available for viewing on Canadian Heritage鈥檚 YouTube channel and on the Crown in Canada Facebook account.
CROSS-COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS
On May 6 and 7, free activities will be held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the King鈥檚 coronation. Members of the public will be able to visit the Governor General鈥檚 residence, grounds and greenhouse. A recording of the coronation ceremony will also be available to view, and musical performances will be offered by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Rideau Hall will be open to visitors from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT on May 6 and 7.
As , the Peace Tower and other federal buildings in Canada鈥檚 capital region will be lit emerald green throughout the weekend to mark the King鈥檚 coronation. Landmarks across the country are also encouraged to do the same.
Lastly, some lieutenant-governors and territorial commissioners across Canada will invite residents to take part in activities organized within their local communities to mark the coronation. These include military parades, tree plantings and exhibitions.
WHAT WILL CANADA鈥橲 PARTICIPATION IN LONDON LOOK LIKE?
According to Canadian Heritage, members of the RCMP Musical Ride will take part in King Charles鈥 coronation in London. The Musical Ride is a special unit of horses and riders that perform cavalry drills choreographed to music.
Former Musical Ride horses George, Elizabeth, Sir John, Darby, and Noble, all of which were gifted to the Royal Family, will participate.
The Canadian Armed Forces are also sending a marching contingent for the coronation, made up 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 the Canadian Special Operations Command, and one member of the Royal Military College. These people have been selected based on personal merit, according to Canadian Heritage.
FUNDING FOR OTHER INITIATIVES
Canadian Heritage also announced it will be providing $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鈥 knowledge about the history of Canada.
This money will support the production of learning materials to commemorate King Charles鈥 coronation and his relationship with Canada. These resources will focus on protecting the environment and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.