For the Queen’s Funeral, hundreds of world leaders, including President Joe Biden of the United States, President Emmanuel Macron in France, and President Jair Bolsonaro from Brazil, joined hundreds of other royalty, heads of states, and rulers.
Many people arrived by buses after being ferried from Chelsea to Westminster Abbey. After the coffin was transported on a gun carriage from Westminster Hall, it arrived at Westminster Abbey.
The dean of Westminster Abbey received Mr Biden and his wife Jill as they arrived in their bomb-proof limousine at the abbey.
On the south transept, Mr Biden was 14 rows behind the Polish leader and infront of the Czech Republic leader. The First Lady sat beside the Swiss delegation.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, was joined by Justin Trudeau from Canada and Anthony Albanese from Australia as they watched the coffin being brought into Westminster Abbey for the start of the state funeral. This is the first UK funeral since 1965, when Winston Churchill was given the honor.
The President of Ireland Michael Higgins, President Charles Michel of the EU Council and President of Croatia Moran Milanovic were there as well as Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, and Michal Herzog, the President of Croatia.
China’s Vice President Wang Qishan, who was there as the special representative for President Xi Jinping, was also present in the abbey.
Mr Biden didn’t stay long. While the Queen’s coffin was still making its way to Windsor at 1.30pm, it was announced that Mr. Biden had left London.
These are the positions within the congregation:
1. Anthony Albanese is the prime minister of Australia
2. Brigitte Macron, wife to Emmanuel Macron
3. Emmanuel Macron, President of France
4. Joe Biden, US president
5. Charles Michel, EU Council president
6. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
7. Michael D Higgins is president of Ireland
8. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president
9. Jacinda Ardern is prime minister of New Zealand
World royalty
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their children were also present. This was the first time they had been outside Japan since the outbreak of the pandemic. Because of their cultural beliefs in Shinto religion, Japanese emperors avoid funerals for their parents.
Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hashed, aged 19, was one of the first royals to arrive. He was also representing his father King Mohammed VI at the time.
Many other European royal families were also present, including the King of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, Princess Beatrix, and King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, and the Queen of Sweden.
As you can see in the photo above, there were many who attended.
1. Margareta of Romania
2. Marie-Chantal Crown Princess of Greece
3. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece
4. Princess Charlene of Monaco
5. Prince Albert of Monaco
6. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa de Luxembourg
7. Grand Duke Henri de Luxembourg
8. Queen Mathilde, Belgium
9. King Philippe of Belgium
10. King Harald of Norway
11. Queen Sonja of Norway
12. Sofia, Spain
13. Juan Carlos I of Spain
14. Queen Letizia of Spain
15. King Felipe of Spain
16. Beatrix of The Netherlands
17. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands
18. King Willem-Alexander, Netherlands
19. Queen Silvia of Sweden
20. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden
21. Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark
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How they got there
Three coaches carrying dozens of figures from different countries pulled up to Westminster Abbey and carried the first foreign leaders.
They got up and entered the abbey. A single bell tolled each minute to commemorate the Queen’s 96-years of life.
A convoy of black Range Rovers was also passing through central London, flanked with police outriders.
As the US President made his way to Westminster Abbey, Mr Biden’s car got stuck in traffic.
Social media footage showed the beastly armoured vehicle being held up in front of a Pret a Manger near Marble Arch. It was about 2.5km (1.25 miles) from Westminster Abbey shortly after 8am.
Many foreign dignitaries arrived at the Abbey via the Royal Chelsea Hospital, where many had been gathering since 7.30am.
There were approximately 500 other leaders from almost 200 countries and territories.
According to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office source, they included over 100 heads of government and presidents.
Dignitaries arrive for Queen’s Funeral – Live Update
Russia, Belarus and Myanmar were the only countries that were not invited.
Ambassadorial levels were to be held for Nicaragua, North Korea, and Iran.
The funeral was live broadcast to over 200 countries. It was regarded as one of the most watched events in television history.
These leaders were among the 2000 people who gathered at Westminster Abbey to remember Queen Elizabeth II.
UK politicians
All the ex-UK prime ministers living today, including Boris Johnson and Theresa May, David Cameron and Gordon Brown, as well as Sir Tony Blair, Sir John Major, came together shortly before the current PM Liz Truss who learned a lesson.
Ms Truss attended the event with Hugh O’Leary. She met leaders such as Mr Albanese, Ms Ardern, and others at Chevening, her temporary country residence, on Saturday, and also other leaders from Downing Street on Sunday.
Carole and Michael Middleton were among the first to join the congregation. They are the grandparents of Prince George, the second in line to throne.
The abbey was silent before the Royal Family arrived, following the coffin from Westminster Hall.
As world leaders arrived at Royal Chelsea Hospital, large parts of Chelsea were shut down.
With some exceptions, heads and prime ministers of the states, ambassadors, and heads of government arrived at the hospital, where they were gathered before proceeding to the abbey in tight security.
The roads around the hospital were closed by police. Some Chelsea Pensioners had to walk some distance to Westminster.
Police officers redirected cyclists, joggers, and dog-walkers back to Sloane Square at around 7.30am.
A large number of cars arrived with blacked-out windows and diplomatic number plates. Police escorts in SUVs followed them down Lower Sloane Street to the checkpoint at Turk’s Row.
It was clear that there was an order to the attendees. First, the presidents and prime minsters arrived, followed by foreign royalty, and then the group from China.
Soon after 8 a.m., the first guests arrived at the abbey. They entered through the east gate.
Some dignitaries such as Presidents Macron, Biden and others had joined mourners before to view the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall.
One of the most important security operations by the Metropolitan Police is the operation to protect dignitaries as well as the hundreds of thousands of citizens who gathered in the capital to witness the coffin passing by.
It is more than the operation for the Platinum Jubilee weekend or the London 2012 Olympics which had up to 10,000 officers on duty every day.
