New Delhi: The whole world is watching the events related to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in Britain. All those who are interested in the last glimpse of the Queen from all over the world are reaching London to bid her last farewell before her funeral.
President Murmu arrives in London
According to the information given by Rashtrapati Bhavan, India’s President Draupadi Murmu has reached London to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Draupadi Murmu will stay there from September 17 to 19 and will represent the entire country.
The funeral will be held on Monday
Let us tell you that Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September due to prolonged illness after a reign of 70 years. After which now he is to be cremated with state honors on Monday, September 19. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey.
Many veterans from the country and abroad will be involved
Many veteran leaders from all over the world are reaching out to give their last farewell to Queen Elizabeth and attend her funeral. US President Joe Biden has arrived in the UK with First Lady Jill Biden. So New Zealand Premier Jacinda Ardern has arrived and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also arrived to attend the Queen’s last farewell.
More than 2,000 guests are expected
More than 2,000 guests are expected to pack London’s historic Westminster Abbey at 1000 GMT on Monday for a church service dedicated to her life and record-breaking 70-year reign. After prayers and a blessing, a lone bugler will sound The Last Post and the country will fall silent for two minutes before the queen’s coffin is taken through London’s streets for a final time. From there, it will be transferred by royal hearse to her Windsor Castle home west of London before a committal service at St George’s Chapel at 1500 GMT.
The service, with a congregation of more than 800 made up of the queen’s former and current staff as well as senior royals and political figures will last for about an hour. In the end, the queen’s coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault and a piper will play a lament, marking the formal end to the public part of the elaborate ceremonials since her death last Thursday.
The coffin of the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, who died last April aged 99, currently resides in the vault at the historic chapel. Both will be transferred to the adjoining King George VI Memorial Chapel, where the remains of the late queen’s father, mother, and the ashes of her sister have their final resting place.
Palace officials said the service there would take place at 1830 GMT on Monday and would not be televised as it was a “deeply personal family occasion”.
According to New York Post, around 500 dignitaries and heads of state have been invited. Among those invited to the funeral are US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Irish President Michael D. Higgins, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Foreign Royalty
New York Post also reports that royal families from across Europe have been invited. The list includes King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Felipe VI and Queen Letitia of Spain, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Talking about who has confirmed their attendance so far, Indian President Draupadi Murmu will be in the UK between September 17 and 19 for the funeral. French President Emanuel Macaron has also confirmed his visit to the UK. From Nepal, their Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka will be there and from Srilanka, President Renil Wickremesinghe will fly to the UK to be at the funeral.
