King Charles Will Host Heads Of State A Day Before The Queen’s Funeral

According to experts, the Queen’s funeral, taking place at Westminster Abbey on September 19, will be one of the biggest international events in recent UK history.

Heads of state from around the world will be flying in to attend the event. Invitations have been sent out, with the President of Russia and Belarus exempted. As for Iran, the country can only send a representative to attend the funeral service on behalf of the country.

The President of US, Joe Biden, has confirmed that he will be attending the event with his wife Jill Biden. Others set to attend include King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, alongside the presidents of Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Finland and a great many others.

Any head of state unable to attend can then send a head of government or senior minister in their place.

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King Charles To Host World Leaders On the Eve Of September 18

According to an official document obtained by POLITICO, King Charles III will host a reception for all the overseas leaders at Buckingham Palace on the evening before the funeral service.

Alongside the reception, visiting heads of state will be able to attend the lying-in-state of the Queen’s body. They will also be obliged to sign the condolence book at Lancaster Lancaster House, immediately afterward.

Foreign heads of state will also be able to record a tribute, up to three minutes, at Lancaster House for the media.

How Will Attending World Leaders Be Getting Around UK With Its Road Restrictions

At the day of the funeral, there will be “tight security and road restrictions” making it hard for heads of state and their spouses to travel in their own cars. As a result of this, they will, however, be transported to Westminster Abbey in escorted coaches from a location in west London.

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“Multiple and comprehensive layers of security will be in place across London and at all the official venues used for the state funeral and associated events,” an official FCDO document said about the travel arrangements put in place for those arriving from overseas.

In line with the rules of the government’s mourning period, and “because of the extensive ceremonial programme related to the state funeral and the logistical challenges, requests for bilaterals will not be considered on this occasion,” the FCDO clarified in the note.

After the funeral service, international leaders will be escorted on foot to Dean’s Yard, still within the grounds of the abbey, to attend a reception hosted by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. After the reception, they will be driven to west London by coach to collect their cars.

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