Jacques Serais, edited by Laura Laplaud
On the occasion of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this Monday in London, nearly 500 leaders made the trip. To ensure their safety, the British have made some recommendations such as avoiding taking a private flight or taking specially chartered buses. But all the leaders, like Emmanuel Macron, did not necessarily respect these instructions.
Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady, who arrived in London on Sunday, gathered in front of the coffin of Elizabeth II. They will attend the funeral in the morning in Westminster Abbey. Like Joe Biden, the President of the French Republic did not respect the recommendations issued by the British who face a security and diplomatic headache to welcome nearly 500 leaders and 2,000 guests.
Taking the bus was not an option for Emmanuel Macron
The British Foreign Office recommended that heads of state avoid private flights and favor commercial flights if possible to get to the funeral. But Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady landed on Sunday afternoon aboard the presidential Falcon.
The British also asked the leaders to borrow specially chartered buses. An option that was obviously not one for Emmanuel Macron. According to Agence France Presse, the president said “no” to the bus. As for Joe Biden, who obtained authorization to use his armored limousine, the tenant of the Élysée ended up finding an arrangement.
The presidential couple arrived on foot at Westminster Hall dressed in black, dark trainers and sunglasses. Sunday evening, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron then went to the dinner organized by Charles III with the Heads of State and Government at Buckingham Palace.
A busy schedule for the Head of State
It’s a bit like two days in one that the President of the Republic is about to experience. After the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Emmanuel Macron will take the plane. He will not be on board the Falcon which took him to London but on board the A330, the most imposing of the presidential fleet. Eight hours of flight, destination New York.
He is expected at the UN General Assembly on Monday evening. A race against the clock but the six hour time difference between London and New York should allow him to arrive in time. Another room, another atmosphere, with the war in Ukraine at the heart of this diplomatic meeting.