LONDON –
Governor General Mary Simon says Queen Elizabeth II gave her important advice that she follows to this day when they first met during a Zoom call in July 2021 before Simon was sworn in.
Speaking to CTV National News anchor and senior editor Omar Sachedina at Canada House in London on Sunday, Simon said he couldn’t remember the Queen’s exact words, but told her something along the lines of “be kind to yourself.” .
Simon said she accepted the advice, which means she has to work hard as the sovereign’s representative in Canada, especially given the Crown’s relationship with Indigenous people, but also take time for herself, something Simon believes is a reflection of the Queen’s enduring work ethic towards the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Simon also discussed the legacy Queen Elizabeth II is leaving behind and what talks lie ahead between King Charles III and Canada.
Below is a transcript of the interview. It has been edited for grammar and clarity.
Omar Sachedina: Your Excellency, take me back to September 8, the day we learned the Queen had died. Where were you and what was your initial reaction?
Mary Simon: “I had just come back from Ottawa and was in the office for about two hours and it was obvious that things were not going well, but the sudden news that we got that she had passed away was very emotional. kind of overwhelming that it just seemed so sudden. So I was just sitting in my office thinking about her and the legacy she left and the warmth she showed when I went to see her and how welcoming she was. So all these thoughts went through my mind and it was the moment of my life.”
Omar Sachedina: When you think about her life, you know her better than most. Can you tell me about a time or story that really captures the essence of who she was?
Mary Simon: “Well, I’ve always known about the Queen, even when I grew up in the Arctic. And my grandmother, who was Inuit, talked about the Queen with her friends and colleagues and family members and was always so reverential that they talked about her, so I’ve always followed the royal family in my personal life. But I think for me, when I was appointed, a little over a year ago, as Governor General, I had a Zoom call with Her Majesty and we had a really good discussion and during the call — I don’t remember her exact words, but she said, “Be gentle with yourself,” which to me meant that you work hard, but you also take time to rest and be there for yourself. And that has stayed with me ever since she said that. And then when I came to see her here in London at Windsor Castle, I guess it was May or June…she welcomed me and my husband to her home. We had a very, very nice conversation with her and she served us tea and the dogs were there, the corgis, and she fed the corgis some food and it was an absolutely interesting and warm experience that I had and my husband and I both said it was a once in a lifetime experience for both of us and it was some really good memories.”
Omar Sachedina: People say goodbye to the queen, but also welcome a new king. You’ve talked about the need to have difficult conversations about dealing with the brutal legacy of colonialism and the relationship between Indigenous people around here as an Inuk woman representing the Crown, you have such a capacity to be a key facilitator in those discussions. What is the proper way to conduct these conversations with the new king, King Charles III?
Mary Simon: “He started the conversation, and he actually started the conversation when he was still a prince when he came to Canada a few months ago, and he’s carried that through to today. And the few times I’ve been able to speak to the king, he’s expressed a renewed vision for the relationship he has as the new King Charles III. And it speaks to the idea that the Queen has done what she can in her own way… I think he is willing to discuss these issues with us to see what he can do as the new monarch to replace his dear mother.”
Omar Sachedina: Has the Queen ever spoken to you about apologizing to indigenous people? Has this ever happened in conversation?
Mary Simon: “No, the apology issues really intensified when Prince Charles was in Canada. I hadn’t really heard that much about it before.’
Omar Sachedina: And did he talk about it while he was a prince?
Mary Simon: “Not when he was in Canada with me, but he mentioned it in ongoing discussions we’ve had. But at the same time, what we’ve been talking about is really a way to reconnect with people and be able to understand what that might mean.”
Omar Sachedina: Are you convinced that the apology will come with the new king?
Mary Simon: “I don’t know at this stage. I think there is a call for it from some local leaders, but I don’t have that information at this stage.”
Omar Sachedina: I want to ask you, as much as you can, to look into the future. Tomorrow, more than 2,000 people will gather at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral to say goodbye to the Queen, and you will be among that group. What will you think about?
Mary Simon: “Well, it’s a very emotional time for me as an individual. And I’m here also representing Canada, so I have to act that way when I’m a representative, but as I’m sitting there I’m going to feel the emotions.. I’m going to think about the times I met Her Majesty and I’m I’m sure I’ll be thinking about the family and how hard this is for the family, and that we’ll carry on her memories because they’re important.”
Omar Sachedina: Your Excellency, last question, what is one thing about the Queen that most people don’t know?
Mary Simon: “When I spoke with her, she was very up-to-date on all the different things that were going on around the world, including the situations in Canada that we’ve been going through in the last year. And maybe a lot of people don’t know that… A lot of people think that just like my position is an extra, her position is an extra, but it’s not. When you get down to the day-to-day work of the work that we do, it’s hard work. And I think not many people know that part of Her Majesty.”
Omar Sachedina: Your Excellency, I am grateful for your time. Thank you so much.
Mary Simon: “It’s my pleasure.”
Add Comment