Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan will attend the queen’s funeral in a move that has drawn complaints from a group of British Conservative MPs who have been banned from traveling to China because of their campaigns against Chinese repression.
Wang will be the most senior Asian political leader to attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey and among representatives of authoritarian states, a group that also includes Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Egypt’s president. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to lead a delegation to London, although his attendance at the funeral has yet to be confirmed.
The Foreign Office is refusing to release a full list of guests at this stage for security reasons, and most Middle Eastern leaders, apart from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, have not revealed their plans for to attend But confirmation that Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will attend suggests other Gulf leaders will also attend.
With seating for the congregation at Westminster Abbey still incomplete and the UK refusing to host world leaders, a last-minute scramble is still underway despite the deadline for confirmations it’s already happened Only royals who are or have recently been heads of state in their country are being invited, barring some who lost their thrones long ago.
Foreign Office sources said heads of state will be given the chance to pay their respects in small groups to the Queen’s body in time-limited events on Friday designed to maximize the number of people who can see her coffin. .
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, meets with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on May 24, 2022. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA
They will also be treated to a reception at the Palace on Friday night, an early morning trip on Monday under “collective arrangements” to the Abbey and then a post-funeral reception with the Secretary of State Exteriors, James Cleverly, at Church House. For many world leaders, it will be a rare brush with a form of public transport.
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi was not invited to the funeral even though the UK and Iran maintain bilateral relations.
Iran’s charge d’affaires in London is due to attend the ceremony, and an Iranian Foreign Ministry official has signed a book of condolence in Tehran, despite Iran’s continued hostility to the monarchy’s endorsement British to the former Shah of Iran.
India is represented at the funeral by President Droupadi Murmu. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe have also accepted invitations.
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Some leaders will stay in hotels, royal palaces or embassies, sources suggested. Instructions have also been given regarding permission to wear military uniforms, provided swords are not carried.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is probably the most senior African leader to announce his attendance, but heads of state from every Commonwealth country will attend with larger delegations than usual.
The main European leaders will be French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Macron had a chance to speak to King Charles by phone and issued another effusive note affirming his determination to improve ties with the UK.
Downing Street will confirm who UK Prime Minister Liz Truss will meet with on Friday, but it has been reported that there will be a meeting with US President Joe Biden.
At the weekend he will meet with world leaders in Downing Street and at his Chevening country residence.