Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral: World leaders on and off the guest list

The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, Monday at Westminster Abbey in London will be one of the biggest diplomatic events of the century.

More than 500 dignitaries from around the world, including world leaders, politicians, celebrities, and European royals, will gather in London to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96.

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Invitations have been distributed even though there isn’t an official guest list available yet.

Confirmed invitees

Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend the event, with US President Joe Biden being one of the first to confirm his attendance.

Biden told reporters on Friday, “I don’t know what the details are yet but I will be going.”

Presidents from Brazil and South Korea, Jair Bolsonaro and Yoon Suk Yeol, are among those present for the Queen’s final farewell after a series of formal occasions.

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Next week, Liz Truss, the UK’s newly elected prime minister, will also observe the monarch’s funeral.

Most Commonwealth leaders are anticipated to participate, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who will travel for nearly 24 hours to make it to London.

“I would prioritize of course, alongside the Governor-General, doing our duty in representing New Zealand and to pass on the condolences of our whole nation,” Ardern said on Friday, adding, “I do expect there will be a number of leaders looking to pay respects and tribute to the Queen.”

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also be in attendance.

This extraordinary trip to London for the Queen’s funeral highlights the close ties between the Japanese and British royal families. Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will also attend.

Also read: Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin Lying-in-State after final journey from Buckingham Palace

A Japanese emperor has only ever attended the funeral of a foreign head of state or member of the royal family once before, when then-Emperor Akihito attended the funeral of the Belgian King Baudouin in 1993, according to the Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun, which cited Imperial Household Agency officials.

On Monday, there will also be members of foreign royal families sitting in the pews.

Among the European royals attending will be King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia.

Also read: President Droupadi Murmu to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

In addition to the present King and Queen of the Netherlands, former Queen Beatrix, who stepped down as monarch in 2013, will also be there, according to the Dutch royal family.

The Queen was honoured by Jordan’s King Abdullah II as an “iconic leader” and “beacon of wisdom and principled leadership,” and he will also be present at her funeral.

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Not welcome

However, not all international leaders have been invited.

According to the British news agency PA Media, Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan are three of the nations that have not been requested to send a delegate.

Only at the level of an ambassador, according to PA, have representatives from North Korea and Nicaragua been invited.

Also read: Canada makes Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral day a holiday for federal workers

The Presidents of Belarus, Myanmar, and Russia will also be missing.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin tweeted his congratulations on King Charles III’s accession to the throne, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing sources who said that diplomatic ties between the UK and Russia have all but crumbled since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, is a close ally of Vladimir Putin.

Also read: Vladimir Putin not invited to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral over Ukraine invasion: Report

Due to a coup that occurred in Myanmar last year, the country will not be invited.

Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle following the funeral, where her parents, sister Princess Margaret, and husband Prince Philip are also laid to rest.