FILE – In this May 22, 2008 file photo, Canadian singer, Celine Dion, right, arrives with her son Rene-Charles, center, and her husband Rene Angelil, left, at the Elysee Palace to be awarded of the Legion d’Honneur by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Paris.
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After the Grammy victor and her son Rene-Charles greeted the many grievers, as seen in the official memorial pics (above), the music icon made sure to issue a short statement to express her thanks for all of the support.
Rene-Charles spoke next. “Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father”, he said, adding that they had bonded over “golf, hockey, poker and smoked meat”. “Dad, I promise you here that we are all going to live up to your standards”, he added.
After Angelil’s death, following a lengthy battle with throat cancer, Dion took to her Facebook page to post a touching tribute to her husband and manager.
Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lepine will preside over today’s ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. eastern. Angelil died on January 14, in Las Vegas at the age of 73.
The Quebec government picked up the cost of organizing what the province called a “national funeral”, despite Dion’s being the fifth-richest recording artist in the world, with net worth of $640 million in December, according to Wealth-X Research.
The premier called Dion’s worldwide success a source of pride for Quebec and noted Angelil was there to help develop her career. The people are supporting her in her mourning and are celebrating his life.
“He was a giant, Rene, and together they created the biggest success story in showbiz in Canadian history, ” said Mulroney, who attended the couple’s 1994 wedding at the basilica.
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Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also attended.
