Queen Elizabeth II will be honoured with a full state funeral at Westminster Abbey next week, in a ceremony that will be televised to an expected audience of billions of people across the globe.
Nearly 500 dignitaries from around the world are set to descend on London to pay their last respects to the long-reigning monarch alongside members of the Royal family in one of the largest diplomatic moments of the century.
They will join members of the Royal family, UK prime ministers past and present, and key figures from public life at Westminster Abbey – the historic church that can hold around 2,000 people – at 11am next Monday.
“This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades,” a Whitehall source said.
The source compared the logistical task to organising “hundreds of state visits” within a matter of days. Normally, there might only be two or three a year.
It presents a huge logistical, diplomatic and security challenge, with practice runs taking place in the dead of night.
Invitations were sent over the weekend to the heads of state of nations with which the UK has diplomatic relations. For most countries, that means the head of state plus one guest.
So, who can we expect to see attend Her Majesty’s funeral on Monday, September 19?
The Royal family
The late Queen’s four children – King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – will be present at the funeral, as well as their respective spouses: Camilla, the Queen Consort; Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Sir Tim Laurence. The Duke of York’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also expected to attend.
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral – Jon Super
King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral – Jon Super
The late Queen’s grandchildren will also be in attendance at the service – Prince William, Price Harry, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Spouses of close family, including Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex will pay their respects too.
Other Royals expected to attend the funeral ceremony include Queen Elizabeth II’s cousins: the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
The Telegraph
