Lifestyle

Middle East royals and leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

By Pramod Kumar

September 18, 2022

People pay respects to Britain's Queen Elizabeth, following her death, as she lies in state, in London on September 17, 2022.

Royals and leaders from the Middle East will attend Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral at London’s Westminster Abbey on Monday (September 19).

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died on September 8 aged 96.

Although no official guest list has been issued, media reports suggested invitations have been sent.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is likely to travel to London to pay his respects to the British Royal Family, but it is not confirmed if he will attend the funeral service, The Guardian newspaper said on Friday.

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Morocco’s Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al-Said and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani are expected to attend the funeral, according to a Reuters report.

Also set to attend are Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco, Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, and Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister.

Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa pays his respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, following her death, during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, in London, Britain, September 18, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool

Royals in Attendance

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have left for Britain to attend Queen’s state funeral, The Japan Times reported.

Spain’s King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who have confirmed attendance.

Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I and former Queen Sofia will be present, the country’s royal household press office told CNN.

Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden will also be among the congregation.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, along with the country’s former Queen, Beatrix, will also be there, the Dutch royal house informed.

Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture date: Sunday September 18, 2022. Jonathan Hordle/Pool via REUTERS

World leaders

US President Joe Biden was among the first to confirm his presence at the event. Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol will also be present.

China’s Vice President Wang Qishan will be in attendance at the funeral, the South China Morning Post said, citing the country’s Foreign Ministry.

In a tweet, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his attendance. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio will be in attendance, a statement from Finland’s presidential office said.

Leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to present at the funeral, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will attend the funeral, the country’s Ministry of External Affairs has said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will also be paying his respects at the funeral, a statement from the country’s presidential office confirmed.

Meanwhile, the government has declared a public holiday for the funeral while hundreds of thousands of people have lined up for hours this week to pay their respects at Queen Elizabeth’s coffin.