Justin Trudeau accidentally photobombs wedding

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be known for his photogenic looks and affinity for the camera, but he made an unintentional appearance recently in a photo opportunity not meant for him.

In a picture posted last week, photographer Marnie Recker captured the Canadian leader shirtless in a wetsuit, looking on as a bride walked down the beach for her wedding in Tofino, British Columbia.

“Justin was quickly leaving the beach at the same time the bride appeared and started coming down the stairs,” Recker wrote in a comment on her Facebook post. “It was her moment and he respectfully stood aside and witnessed her walk down the aisle to her husband-to-be.”

The photo shows Trudeau in a wetsuit, with a yellow board, standing in the background, as a bride, carrying a bouquet of bright yellow and orange flowers, is escorted by a man and woman across the sand.

Recker said she was happy that the Trudeaus “had a wonderful vacation in Tofino and that they take that time for themselves so they can better serve the people they care about.” She also extended them a complimentary photo session, promising “complete privacy and a lot of fun and gorgeous images to cherish forever.”

Some commenters questioned the authenticity of the photo, noting he appeared to be looking directly at the camera in the photo Recker took. She responded that Trudeau made eye contact with the camera “because I was looking at him and smiling, sharing in the humour of the moment.”

“It's a wedding photo by a wedding photographer,” she added. “This photo speaks to that one tradition we have across all countries and cultures, of two people coming together to express their love. Justin is not a politician in this photo. He is a human being that is able to celebrate and empathize with others. He didn't mean to be in the photo. Fate gave him no choice and he did the only thing he could do but stand there and allow her to pass.”

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 6:40 AM with the headline "Justin Trudeau accidentally photobombs wedding."