Celine Dion’s eldest son, René-Charles, spoke at his dad René Angélil’s funeral on Friday, January 22. The 14-year-old delivered an emotional speech before hundreds of mourners at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
The teen spoke in English, and a French translation was played over a livestream provided to the public, which aired on ReneAngelilCommemoration.com.
“Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father,” René-Charles said in the eulogy. “You had a busy life, but we were communicating through golf, hockey, poker … smoked meat … and a lot of other wonderful food, bonding more and more as time went by.”
“You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers,” René-Charles continued in his speech. “As they grow older without you being around, I’ll make sure to pass on what I’ve learned from you. You are a tough act to follow, but with your help everything is going to be fine. Dad, I promise you here that we are all going to live up to your standards.”
Dion and Angélil, who passed away at the age of 73 from throat cancer on January 14, are also parents to 5-year-old twin sons Nelson and Eddy.
After the eulogy, Dion — who covered her face with a black veil — stood to hug her son.
The Catholic funeral was held in the same basilica where the award-winning songstress and the music producer married in 1994. Angélil’s son from a previous relationship, Patrick, also spoke at the service. Little Nelson and Eddy sat quietly alongside their mom in the pew.
Dion greeted hundreds of mourners during Angélil’s wake on Thursday, January 21.
