KYIV. UkraineGate . 12 . September . 2022 | World News.
Heads of foreign states will arrive at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on buses, Politico reports .
Details
Foreign heads of state and their entourages heading to London for the Queen’s state funeral have been told to arrive in the UK on commercial flights. It is noted that London Heathrow Airport will not be available for private flights during this period.
World leaders have also been told they will not be able to use helicopters to attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, but will instead be brought by buses from the assembly site in west London.
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“Can you imagine Joe Biden on the bus?” – one foreign ambassador expressed his indignation.
It is reported that this decision was taken by the organizers of the royal funeral, “due to strict security measures and significant road restrictions”, so the state leaders will have to leave their own cars.
According to the official instructions of the organizers, only heads of state and their spouses or partners from each country were invited to the funeral due to the limited number of seats on the grounds of the abbey.
Heads of state who cannot attend may elect one official representative, such as a head of government or a senior minister.
It is also reported that King Charles III will host a reception for all foreign leaders at Buckingham Palace the evening before the funeral.
World leaders will also be able to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II and express their condolences in a special book kept at Lancaster House.
After the funeral, the foreign leaders will walk to Dean Yard in the abbey grounds and attend a reception hosted by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley before returning by coach to west London where they can transfer to their cars.
Source: Ukrgate
