World leaders including Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau and Jacinda Ardern will be joined at the Queen’s funeral by Europe’s royals, Japan’s emperor and a cast of controversial statesmen including Jair Bolsonaro and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The presence of Brazil’s right-wing populist President and Turkey’s authoritarian leader in London could spark protests that would widen if Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are also invited to Britain.
The world is mourning Her Majesty’s passing at the age of 95. It’s Monday and the most influential people on the planet are vying for places to attend the 2,000 VIPs.
500 world leaders, foreign dignitaries and heads of state including Mr Biden, Mr Macron and Emperor Naruhito will be at the historic service honouring Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – the first full State Funeral that Britain has hosted since Winston Churchill died in 1965.
But Vladimir Putin has been snubbed along with his ally, Belarus’ Aleksandr Lukashenko. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar will also not be asked with no official stance yet on Syria’s Bashar al-Assad or North Korea’s Kim Jong-un – although they are highly unlikely to make the guest list because they rarely go abroad.
London will not ask for Iran’s President or Ayatollah, although an ambassador from the rebel state may be requested.
Buckingham Palace refused to provide any information about the guests on the list or when they will be completed.
The trip is unlikely to be made by Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, the president who took time from organizing his country’s fightback against Putin’s forces to write a book of condolences for Queen Elizabeth.
Both India’s Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi have yet to make their official statements. Xi has been in China for less than three years and is unlikely to be accepted.
The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Myanmar won’t get an invite to the Queen’s funeral but a number of controversial figures including Erdogan and Bolsonaro are coming to London and other world leaders are yet to confirm including President Xi
Although Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the octogenarian Saudi Arabia King, will have been invited to the event but would not be able to attend because of his health and age,
His son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the nation’s de facto leader who mixed with world leaders at the G20, could head to Britain in his place – a decision that would likely spark protests.
MBS is accused of ordering the murder journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. He vehemently denies the claims and said recently that that the journalist would not be among his top 1,000 targets to kill, ‘if that was how we did things’.
But US intelligence agencies concluded in a declassified intelligence report that the Saudi crown prince had approved the 2018 murder.
The close friend of Her Majesty, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the billionaire ruler in Dubai), has yet to confirm whether he will be attending.
Prior to her death Her Majesty was below After the High Court found him guilty of illegal UK telephone hacking, there was pressure on him to be removed.
Senior judges concluded that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the horse-racing friend and prime minister in the United Arab Emirates. This was a case of ‘total abuse and power abuse’.
The High Court was told that he orchestrated an armed kidnapping of Princess Shamsa, his daughter from Cambridgeshire, in 2000. He persuaded Tony Blair’s government not to speak out. Also, he is accused of abducting Princess Latifa from her when she tried to escape.
But with the limit on numbers, it could be he is not asked because he is not technically a head of state – Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is leader of the United Arab Emirates and Sheikh Mohammed is his deputy.
The funeral will be attended by Jair Bolsonaro (right-wing Brazilian President), according to Turkey’s foreign ministry.
The abbey will host heads of state, presidents, European royalty and other key figures in public life. Leading figures in Britain’s public life are set to attend her funeral next week, including Liz Truss and all her living predecessors.
There are so many people who want to attend, the invite limit is one per VIP and the spouse, if any. But there’s a continuing row because the Government has urged them all to fly commercially to London, as well as to use pool jets. It is not acceptable that so many people will choose to use shuttle buses rather than state limousines, carriages.
There will be all of Europe’s monarchs and queens as well as the minor royals of the continent that are related to Her Majesty or Prince Philip.
Juan Carlos, Spain’s ex-king will be in Abu Dhabi for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be traveling to London from outside Europe.
Attendance is expected from leaders of all Commonwealth countries, including Jacinda, New Zealand’s prime minster, who will be travelling almost 24 hours around the globe – as well as her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Australia and New Zealand offer to fly together, so Mr Albanese can bring 10 “ordinary Aussies” with him to London.
US President Joe Biden announced that he and First Lady Jill Biden will attend the Queen’s Funeral. It is Britain’s first public funeral after Sir Winston Churchill’s passing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was not invited to the funeral. The funeral was attended by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is likely not to return to China after two years.
Pictured: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanying the Queen to an unveiling ceremony for a new design of the Shiekh Zayed National Museum during a visit by Abu Dhabi’s state delegation. Recent High Court decisions have slammed Sheikh Mohammed. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the G20 Leaders’ Summit for Saudi Arabia and could be asked to the funeral
Emmanuel Macron, French President and Brigitte Macron are expected to be in London
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene Monaco, will both be visiting London
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands were the first foreign royals to confirm their attendance at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral next Monday
The Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain made a sincere tribute to their long-lost relative recently. The Queen’s funeral was also confirmed by them.
Japan’s Empress Masako and Emperor Naruhito are pictured together in Tokyo after their enthronement in November 2019.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s PM (pictured), has been confirmed to be attending The Queen’s funeral next Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is pictured in Australia with Jodie Haydon. He will be visiting Britain as an Australian PM. New Zealand and Australia are offering to offer shared flights so that Pacific leaders can travel to London together.
Following the Queen’s funeral, the hearse with the Queen Elizabeth’s coffin leaves St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, and is taken to London.
Joe Biden, the first person to confirm his attendance at yesterday’s event, was joined by the vast majority of leaders worldwide from King’s realms or the Commonwealth.
Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t be going. Invites to the Queen’s funeral have not been sent to Moscow, Belarus and Myanmar, while Iran will only be represented at an ambassadorial level, Whitehall sources said.
Buckingham Palace will invite other heads of state and former heads of states. The Obamas, Donald Trump and others may not be invited.
At 11 am on Monday, the Queen will be buried at Westminster Abbey. The Queen’s funeral will be followed by senior members of her family, just as they did with Diana, Princess Of Wales and Prince of Edinburgh.
Military personnel will also line up to join the procession. It will also be broadcast live around the world.
This happened as the Government was responsible for making travel arrangements to the funeral and had to clear its security procedures for leaders from around the world.
According to leaked documents, world leaders may be required to travel by bus to the funeral for security purposes. The President typically travels in an SUV called “The Beast”, that is bombproof, bulletproof and resists chemical attacks.
Yesterday number 10 stated that it was providing guidance and added: “The arrangements for leaders will differ depending on their individual circumstances. There will be different arrangements for different leaders depending on factors such as security threats.
Foreign Office encouraged all leaders to take commercial flights and warned that Heathrow wasn’t available for private arrangements, or even aircraft parking.
It stated that private pilots who want to travel by jet should look for less busy airports in London. Due to the high number of aircraft operating during this period, helicopters were also banned.
Following the funeral, Queen Elizabeth’s coffin is taken to St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle where it will be televised for the committal ceremony.
A private service of interment will take place later in the evening with members of senior royal families.
The final resting spot for the Queen will be at the King George VII memorial chapel. This chapel is attached to the main church and contains the remains of Princess Margaret’s mother and her father. Philip’s coffin is set to move from the Royal Vault into the memorial chapel, where it will join the Queen.
However, there has been a backlash against foreign leaders being forced to travel by bus to the ceremony.
The invitations will go out to the heads of states and their wives, but they will not be extended to any other heads of government, former heads, or to anyone else.
Yesterday Number 10, stated that travel arrangements are being handled by the government, but the decision on guest list matters is up to Buckingham Palace.
The official spokesperson for the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said that there would be no space available for Trump and other former heads of states.
On Monday at 11:00 am, Westminster Abbey will host the funeral. It has also been declared a bank holiday.
The prime ministers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have confirmed their presence, along with the heads of states of Japan and South Korea.
Joe Biden, the US president, said that he would attend along with Jill. This caught his White House staff by surprise as his predecessors refused to go to the UK’s last two funerals – George VI in 1952 and Winston Churchill in 1965.
The Palace may not want to host Mr Trump, but it is likely that his attendance will cause a problem.
Mrs Obama and Queen formed a strong relationship despite former President Barack Obama’s wife violating royal protocol when she placed her arm on the back of the monarch during their first meeting.
The Obamas paid a moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II by stating that her reign was “defined by grace and elegance and a tireless effort ethic”. They also said she meant a lot to them and remembered how she welcomed them onto the global stage with open arms, extraordinary generosity, and an unwavering support.
Lord Hague (former Tory leader) stated that there would be diplomacy at Queen’s Funeral.
However, he stated that the world’s leaders will pay respects to an “extraordinary head” of state – and this is what “90% of it’.
When asked if politics would be present at the funeral, he replied to Times Radio that there was. ‘Ofcourse there’s some diplomacy. You can’t get this many people from all over the globe without them saying, “Well, what’s happening in Ukraine?” Of course, there will be some.
They are here to show their respects for this remarkable head of state. That is the essence of 90%.
Yesterday, Micheal Martin, the Irish premier confirmed that he would travel to Belfast today for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and a commemoration service.
Expect European royal families, such as King Felipe and Queen Letizia, to attend.
Although he is not normally at funerals, Emperor Naruhito (the Oxford-educated leader in Japan) will likely make the trip.
The President Yoon of South Korea and President Steinmeier from Germany confirmed their presence. President Bolsonaro is the right-wing leader for Brazil. Ursula von der Leyen is the president of European Commission.
The President Macron of France, and the President Erdogan of Turkey are also likely to be there.
Number 10 stated that there would be no bilateral meetings for visiting dignitaries. However, King Charles III will host a reception at Buckingham Palace Sunday evening for foreign leaders.
The reception will be held in Dean’s Yard in the grounds the abbey, following the state funeral services the next day.
The Vigil for the Princes ceremony last night saw King Charles III and Anne stand on the corners of the coffin. Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles III, Prince Charles III, Prince Edward, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Anne all stood there. The state funeral will be led by them.
Sophie, Countess, of Wessex will be supporting their spouses as a guest of the Duke of Buccleuch, and Camilla Queen Consort.
Catherine, Princess and Prince William, Prince William, Prince Of Wales, Prince Harry (Duke of Sussex) and Meghan, Duchess, of Sussex at the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, Saturday
Peter Phillips (left) and Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall (right) are expected to be attending the service
The funeral will be attended by Princess Eugenie (left), Jack Brooksbank (right), and Princess Beatrice (right).
James Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor will be accompanying the Earless and Countesss of Wessex.
From left: The Queen and Prince Philip together with their great grandchildren, George, Louise, Charlotte, Savannah Phillips and Isla Phillips. Lena Tindall, Mia Tindall, and Lena Tindall. This photo was taken in 2018 by Princess of Wales
European royalty confirmed that they will attend the Queen’s Funeral on Monday.
King Willem Alexander, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, King Felipe, Queen Letizia in Spain and King Philippe will be the mourners at Westminster Abbey.
Gert’s Royals reports that representatives from the Swedish and Monegasque royal family are also anticipated.
It is unlikely that Westminster Abbey’s capacity of 2,000 will be full in honor of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, unlike the Duke and Duchess’s 2021 funeral which had only 30 attendees.
Charles III will head the funeral congregation, with Queen Consort Camilla as her successor, William Prince of Wales and Catherine Princess of Wales following closely.
Prince Andrew and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence are the Queen’s three other children. Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Sophie, Countess de Wessex will be also among the chief mourners.
Prince Beatrix of The Netherlands, who is the King’s mother has confirmed her presence at Westminster Abbey on Monday next.
The congregation at Westminster Abbey will be joined by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, both from Belgium.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, 81, described as a close friend of the late Queen and now Europe’s longest-reigning monarch celebrating her 50th Jubilee – will almost certainly be prominent among the European heads of state
King Harald V, Norway’s ruler (right), is seen with Queen Sonja left at an Oslo museum on June 16, 2022
King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden are highly likely to be among the mourners at the Queen’s funeral
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa of Luxembourg
It is expected all eight of the Queen’s grandchildren will be present, including Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and her spouse Jack Brooksbank, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The Queen’s nephew Lord Snowdon and niece Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto are also anticipated to be there.
Other monarchs likely to be in attendance at the Queen’s funeral include King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway,Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa, and Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Another possible guest are Queen Anne-Marie and King Constantine II, who were both deposed in 1973.
Shortly after paying online tribute to the monarchy, the confirmation that foreign royals will attend the Queen’s Funeral is made.
With a deeply felt tribute, Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI paid respect to her deceased relative.
Spanish royalty echoed the Dutch and Swedish royals’ praises for the Queen’s duty of service to her country during her historical 70-year reign.
King Felipe wrote a short letter to King Charles III through the Casa Real twitter account. It stated that he was terribly sorry for his Aunt Lilibet.