US President Joe Biden, his French counterparts Emmanuel Macron, Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Brazilian Jair Bolsonaro, or even the Saudi prince “MBS” will participate in this extraordinary funeral.
The “funeral of the century”, those of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96, are preparing to welcome, this Monday, many crowned heads and heads of state from around the world. London has already begun, for a few days, to welcome several of these distinguished guests, among whom the American president Joe Biden, who landed on Saturday evening near the capital placed under close surveillance.
The tenant of the White House and his wife must go to pray this Sunday at 5 p.m. GMT in front of the remains of the monarch, still on display 24 hours a day to the public in the British capital. It is not known whether Westminster Hall will be evacuated for the occasion to guarantee the safety of the American president. During the wakes observed by members of the royal family or other heads of state, the flow of visitors had not been interrupted.
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A Sunday evening reception at Buckingham Palace
Joe Biden will attend a reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Sunday evening for dignitaries in attendance.
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For the king, the diplomatic ball began on Saturday with a meeting with representatives of 14 other Commonwealth kingdoms, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Macron, Erdogan, Bolsonaro, MBS…
London is preparing feverishly for this event, which attracts distinguished guests to the capital, including, in addition to the American president, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Council Charles Michel.
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Turkish Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian Jair Bolsonaro will also come, Japanese Emperor Naruhito for his first trip abroad since his accession to the throne in 2019, or even Saudi Prince Mohammed ben Salman, known as “MBS”.
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Prince Albert of Monaco, King Felipe VI of Spain…
Many crowned heads have been invited, like Prince Albert of Monaco or the King of Spain Felipe VI, as well as his father Juan Carlos I, who abdicated in 2014 and now lives in exile in the United Arab Emirates. Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. GMT on Monday, can accommodate 2,000 people.
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For the police, the event promises to be even more imposing than the 2012 Olympic Games. But the protocol has been seen and revised for many years and the royal troops tirelessly repeat the course in the streets.
The public has until Monday morning 06:30 (05:30 GMT) to pay a last tribute to Elizabeth II, final farewells in meditation, sometimes tears, for a queen who has become a symbol of unity and stability during her reign, d a record length in UK history.
Elizabeth II will be buried privately in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, west London, with her father King George VI and her husband Prince Philip.