In a video shared on social media, the prime minister is seen singing Bohemian Rhapsody by British rock band Queen.

The Queen is Canada’s head of state and Trudeau designated September 19 as Canada’s national day of mourning.

Critics have accused the prime minister of disrespect – but others have defended him.

The video was shared on social media, but while the prime minister’s spokesman confirmed it was genuine, it was not clear who shot it.

It will be held at the Corinthia Hotel, where the Canadian delegation is staying, on Saturday evening, September 17.

Trudeau is seen wearing a T-shirt, leaning on the piano, while Gregory Charles, a Quebec musician and winner of the Order of Canada, plays Bohemian Rhapsody.

Charles told the Canadian Globe and Mail newspapers that the group sang with him for two hours and it was “very enjoyable”, reminding him of a Caribbean funeral by combining dark moments with moments celebrating life.

However, the video drew criticism from some Canadian commentators and netizens.

“Embarrassing is not enough to describe it,” Andrew Coyne, Globe and Mail columnist, wrote on Twitter. “He’s prime minister, in public, on the eve of the queen’s funeral. And is this how he behaves?”

“He is the Canadian prime minister who represented Canada in a week of mourning for the Queen. Our head of state,” said Vivian Bercovici, Canada’s former ambassador to Israel.

However, others say the problem is overblown.

Emmett Macfarlane, professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, wrote on Twitter: “He … sings. Of all the embarrassing things Justin Trudeau said and did, this one didn’t make the list.”

“After dinner on Saturday, the prime minister joined in a small meeting with members of the Canadian delegation, which gathered to pay tribute to the life and service of Her Majesty,” a Trudeau spokesman said.

“Gregory Charles, a renowned musician from Quebec and recipient of the Order of Canada, played the piano in the hotel lobby, which resulted in the joining of several members of the delegation, including the Prime Minister.”

The spokesman noted that “the prime minister participated in various activities to pay homage to the queen”.

Some take a carefree view on the matter.

Music journalist Adam Feibel joked, “I don’t think Justin Trudeau singing Bohemian Rhapsody disrespects the Queen, but I know enough about karaoke to think he disrespects the Queen.”