Queen Elizabeth II funeral: President Droupadi Murmu will be attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, London, and to offer her condolences on behalf of the Indian Government.
"Queen Elizabeth II, the former head of state of the UK and Head of the Commonwealth of Nations passed away on 8 September. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences at the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar visited the British High Commission in New Delhi on 12 September to convey India's condolences. India also observed a day of national mourning on Sunday, 11 September," read the Ministry of External Affairs statement.
The statement further added that during the 70 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, relations between India and UK have immensely flourished and strengthened. The British queen breathed her last in Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8. The british Queen signified stability and balance during her seventy-decade rule. The United Kingdom has officially entered the period of mourning, with condolences and tributes coming from all over the world.
According to official reports in London, King Charles III will host a reception for the overseas leaders at Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday evening before the funeral service on Monday at 11 am local time.
Who all are invited
According to UK media reports, Russia, Belarus and Myanmar have not been extended an invitation to the state funeral. Myanmar, which has also supported Moscow, is not on the invite list as the UK has not had formal diplomatic relations with the South-east Asian country since a military coup removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government last year. While invited, Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky is unlikely to attend given the ongoing conflict.
In what is also considered one of the biggest logistical challenges in the days ahead for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), some countries with which the UK shares less than friendly relations, such as Iran, will only be represented at an ambassadorial level.
Besides Biden, world leaders who have confirmed their attendance so far include the prime ministers of New Zealand, Canada and Australia, President Ramaphosa of South Africa and President Steinmeier of Germany.
Monarchs expected to attend include King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
How the leaders would arrive?
Some reports of world leaders being transported by bus to the Abbey on the day of the funeral do not apply to every visiting dignitary, with US President Joe Biden expected to arrive in his armored Cadillac – known as the “Beast”.
Many of the other world leaders will also use their own vehicles, with invitees being requested to be flexible in order to avoid gridlock in the heart of London on the day of the funeral.
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