Around 500 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend Monday’s service
Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have not been invited to the Queen’s funeral, it has been reported, as invites have been sent out to heads of state.
An insider further claimed that Iran will only be represented at an ambassadorial level at Monday’s service.
According to reports on Tuesday, Britain has not invited representatives from the three nations to the state funeral as the sovereign is laid to rest with Prince Philip in St George’s Chapel.
Russia and its ally Belarus have been increasingly isolated on the world stage since the invasion of Ukraine in February. Myanmar and its military have also been the subject of British sanctions and have not been invited to attend the ceremony, the Mirror reported.
The Queen’s funeral, following her passing at Balmoral on Thursday, is expected to be attended by about 500 foreign dignitaries.
The BBC said that invites have now been sent to the heads of state of most countries with which Britain has diplomatic relations.
A host of world leaders from US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, to the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all confirmed they will attend the funeral.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be in attendance.
Peskov said that although Russians “respect” the Queen “for her wisdom,” Putin’s attendance is not an option. However, he added that a decision will be made about who will represent the nation at the ceremony.
The Queen’s coffin will arrive in London later today, with Princess Anne accompanying it on a flight from Edinburgh.
The cortege will then travel to Buckingham Palace where the oak casket will be met by King Charles, the Queen consort and other members of the royal family.
On Wednesday, at 2.22pm, the coffin is due to be taken on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to the Palace of Westminster.
At the time, guns will be fired from Hyde Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The cortege will then travel via the Queen’s Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square, and New Palace Yard.
The Queen will lie in state until 6.30am Monday.
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