Queen Elizabeth II’s presence was “actively felt” in Westminster Hall and will be for decades, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a one-on-one interview with CityNews as he reflected on his visit to the Queen’s coffin ahead of her state funeral on Monday and the future of the monarchy in Canada.

“It’s strange, but even as we were there to say goodbye, knowing that she passed number of days before, and yet her presence was still so actively felt. I know that we’re going to still feel her for decades to come,” shared Trudeau.

He noted a “peaceful hum” as thousands of people who had waited hours and hours crossed in front of Her Majesty’s coffin to give their last moment of respect.

“There was this beautiful energy in the space where we are all of us with our own stories and our own grief sharing in this moment of respect and reflection for an extraordinary leader,” Trudeau told CityNews.

Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau are among hundreds of world leaders, heads of state and royals set to attend the Queen’s funeral from around the world.

A miles-long queue to pay respect to the Queen is expected to be closed to new arrivals later Sunday so that everyone in line can file past the coffin before Monday morning.

Thousands of people have waited hours in the queue for up to 17 hours, braving chilly overnight temperatures.

Grégoire Trudeau remembered the Queen as a “truly present woman when you met her.”

“She was deeply interested in world affairs and always made her point very clear, always in respect to other people,” said Grégoire Trudeau. “I think that people felt her authenticity and her dedication to service.”

She also recalled a time when their young son met the Queen at the palace.

“He was trying to touch everything in the palace, and she was being so kind and she said, ‘He can go look out the window into the garden,’ so [she was] a mother as well,” said Grégoire Trudeau. “A grandmother too,” added Trudeau.

“Real moments of humanity, because at the end of the day, this is what it’s about. It’s about bringing people together,” said Grégoire Trudeau.

The Trudeaus also know what it’s like the grieve the death of a loved one in the public eye. Trudeau’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, died in 2000.

His casket also laid in state for multiple days on Parliament Hill and Montreal before a state funeral was held in Montreal. Trudeau said he has been reminded of his father’s passing 22 years ago.

“The thing is, yes, it’s a moment of personal family grief, surrounded by others, but the outpouring of love from around the world for Her Majesty, I know, is comforting to the family as they as they grieve someone they knew intimately and loved. It helps to know that others loved her incredibly much as well.”

“I’m sure that within them and within their own family, they are grieving in their own way. And to receive this love and support is just a reminder of how solidarity and coming together in unity counts on this planet. It really does,” shared Gregoire-Trudeau.

No urgency to remove Canada from the monarchy

When asked about whether he would be willing to open up the conversation regarding the monarchy is Canada, Trudeau said he doesn’t believe it’s a priority at the moment.

“Every conversation I have with Canadians right now it’s about the cost of living, climate change … reconciliation, things that we need to do to grow the economy and be successful in this world,” he said.

Trudeau added he wouldn’t be opposed to thinking about changes in the future.

“We have to always think about changes. But I’ve always said let’s wait until we settled everything else. And I don’t think there’s any big urgency to open the Constitution.”

Trudeau also incurred that the monarchy has led to enduring democracy in Canada without the “polarization we see in some countries like the United States where the President is also the head of state.”

“It’s easier to feel angry at your country or be one-sided or another in a system where the president embodies everything. Whereas for us, the monarchy is so above the very robust debates of the day, that it allows us to really push hard on political ideas without bringing into question the stability of our system or even of our country.”

As for King Charles III, in his brief meeting with the new monarch this weekend, Trudeau said he had the chance to talk to him about how things are going in Canada.

“I know that from having just visited Canada a few months ago, he is deeply interested and steeped in what’s going on and [has taken] an active interest in being up being a good monarch.”

 

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The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Monday, Sep. 19 at 5 a.m. EST. You can watch the six-hour special coverage hosted by Lisa La Flamme live on Citytv, CityNews 24/7 and citynews.ca.