Home Updates World Leaders to Attend Queen Elizabeth’s State Funeral

World Leaders to Attend Queen Elizabeth’s State Funeral

There will be a long list of world leaders present at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, where royal pageantry will be on display in remembrance of a monarch whose reign spanned seven decades

World Leaders to Attend Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral

It is expected that United States President Joe Biden will be among the long list of world leaders attending Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday, where a large amount of pageantry will be on display to pay tribute to an era-spanning monarch who ruled for seven decades. Over 2,000 people, including world leaders, dignitaries, politicians, celebrities, and European royals, are expected to attend the event.

At Westminster Abbey, starting at 11 a.m., the Rev. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, will conduct the service. The Prime Minister of the U.K., Liz Truss, and Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, will read lessons. During the service, Archbishop Justin Welby will deliver a sermon. After the service, a two-minute silence will be observed following the Last Post sound. At noon, the Queen’s Piper will conclude the state funeral by playing a Lament and Reveille, the National Anthem.

Which countries will not attend the funeral?

Over the weekend, invitations were sent to the heads of state of countries with which the United Kingdom maintains diplomatic relations. Leaders from across the Commonwealth and around the globe are expected to attend the state funeral. However, Syrian, Russian, Belarussian, Myanmar, Afghan, and Venezuelan representatives will not be present. The participation of the head of state and a guest is standard practice for most nations with an invitation.

World Leaders to Attend Queen Elizabeth's State Funeral
World Leaders to Attend Queen Elizabeth’s State Funeral
Source: Web

As soon as the state funeral concludes on Monday, the coffin will be transported to Wellington Arch, where it will make its final journey out of London to Windsor. Her coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault beneath St. George’s Chapel, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, at the Queen’s journey end. It follows nearly two weeks of preparations under the codename “Operation London Bridge,” culminating in Monday’s official ceremony.

Jill Biden will also Attend Funeral Ceremony with President Biden

There have been plans for the Queen’s funeral for many years, which gives American advisers a greater understanding of what will occur over the coming days as security arrangements are made. White House officials said they only received an invitation for President Biden and first lady Jill Biden, thus slimming the American footprint. The British capital is being kept at a high level of security in the British capital as dozens of world leaders gathered over the weekend and Monday to remember the Queen, who met thirteen sitting US presidents during her reign.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated in an interview with Sky News last week that it is comparable to the London Marathon, the carnival, previous royal weddings, and the Olympics all coming together in one event.

President Biden is expected to return to Washington on Monday afternoon following the funeral. Aside from paying respects to Queen Elizabeth II while she was lying in state, President and first lady Biden signed condolence books with other leaders and attended a reception with King Charles III during their brief visit to London.

It has been reported that the British administration is no longer expecting Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attend. Western leaders were hesitant to invite the individual they believe ordered the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. As far as his involvement in the murder is concerned, he has denied involvement.

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