Some world leaders have not invited to pay their respects to the Queen at her funeral, as per Whitehall sources. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been blacklisted, with Kremlin representatives, after the brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus and Myanmar are also not welcome at the ceremony on Monday.
Iran will ‘only be represented at an ambassadorial level’.
Around 500 dignitaries from around the globe will join at least 1,500 other guests to bid a final farewell to Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey.
UK government insider said :
‘This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades’.
They compare the logistical task to organising ‘hundreds of state visits’ within a matter of days, whereas there might normally only be two or three a year.
Due to limited space, leaders are only allow to have their spouses at the service.
It comes following Vladimir Putin’s letter to King Charles wishing him ‘courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss’.
Reports suggest foreign heads of state will all have to take an escorted coach together to Westminster Abbey on the day.
They have ask not to take private jets to the UK, while they won’t be able to use helicopters when they’re here.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are expect to travel over.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and French President Emmanuel Macron are also likely to make appearances.
