The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has set rules for protocols for foreign heads of state to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, scheduled to take place on September 19, 2022.
British newspaper The Independent wrote on Sunday, September 11, 2022 that protocol rules require foreign heads of state to travel to the UK on commercial aircraft, as there are no arrangements for private aircraft at London’s Heathrow Airport.
The rules also prohibit the use of helicopters to transport presidents from airports to other locations due to anticipated congestion in the region’s airspace.
According to Politico, presidents will also not be allowed to use their official cars for the funeral, but will be taken by bus from west London to Westminster Abbey.
Official documents obtained by this magazine and distributed to embassies on Saturday, September 10, 2022, confirm that invitations to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be limited to the head of state and his spouse.
In the case of heads of state who cannot participate, they can choose another representative such as the head of state or an important minister.
On the day of the funeral, security and road restrictions will be in place in much of central London, so heads of state will be bussed to the Abbey from their meeting place in west London.
After the Mass, foreign leaders will be invited to a reception hosted by Secretary of State James Cleverley in Dean’s Yard, on the grounds of the Abbey, where they will be escorted on foot and then returned by coach to the West London venue.
Another Foreign and Commonwealth Office document detailing the logistics of overseas arrivals said: “Multiple and comprehensive escort arrangements will be in place in London and at all official locations designated for the Queen’s funeral and related events.”
Britain will be on public holiday on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and US President Joe Biden has said he will attend the funeral, although full details of the ceremony and attendance have yet to be revealed.
Before that, the casket will be moved to London and will remain at Buckingham Palace, before being moved to Westminster Hall the next day, where it will lie open for four days.
“It goes without saying that we can expect a large number of people,” Liz Truss, the prime minister’s spokeswoman, told reporters.
Truss, whose appointment as prime minister last Tuesday was the Queen’s last public act, will join King Charles in the next few days on a tour of four British states.
Charles, 73, became the 41st king in a line that dates back to Norman King William I the Conqueror, who seized the throne of England in 1066.
Meanwhile, thousands of people continue to gather at royal palaces across the UK to lay flowers, pay their respects and offer their condolences, while others leave messages of condolence on trees for Queen Elizabeth.
Source: Lebanon Debate
