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Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Brings Together World Leaders for Somber Farewell

On Monday, the world gathered together for one final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.

The long-reigning monarch’s funeral brought to England some of the world’s most powerful leaders, including Commonwealth leaders Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Also attending:

  • US President Joe Biden
  • Indian President Droupadi Murmu
  • Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
  • Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe
  • South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame
  • Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin
  • President Michael Higgins
  • German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
  • French President Emmanuel Macron
  • Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Royals from other countries attending include Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Maxima. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain along with the royal families of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Monaco all attended as well.

And for those closer to home, all of the royal family attended – including Prince Harry and Meghan, estranged from the royal core family.

There was controversy surrounding Harry’s ability to wear his military uniform to the funeral since he stepped away from his place in royal life. Ultimately, King Charles III, Harry’s father, agreed to permit him to wear it, but stripped his uniform of the Queen’s initials for the vigil, leaving the Prince distraught. Neither Harry nor Prince Andrew (who also needed special dispensation to wear his) wore their uniforms for the funeral itself, only the Vigil of Princes.

The Queen’s casket was taken by procession to Wellington Arch, before making its way to Windsor. The royal family will attend the private burial later today.



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