Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral: Who will attend and what to expect?

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch, will be laid to rest today, September 19.

The funeral will take place at 11am (local time) in Westminster Abbey, followed by a committal service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. The nation will observe two minutes of silence after the service concludes.

Around 500 dignitaries, foreign royals and leaders from around the world have arrived in London to pay their last respects to the late monarch.

⚫ The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey:

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 19, 2022

Meanwhile, the Queen’s coffin has been lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster to allow members of the public to pay their respect, with the royal family standing vigil beside it.

Monday has been declared a bank holiday in the UK and almost every television channel will broadcast the funeral. Outdoor TV screens have been installed across streets for members of the public to view.

A total of 2,000 guests have been invited to the Queen’s funeral. Members of the Royal Family will be in attendance, which includes King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla Parker-Bowles. The Queen’s other three children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will also be at the service with their respective spouses. Her grandchildren and their partners are also due to attend.

Draped in the Royal Standard, Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin is taken in Procession to Westminster Hall. pic.twitter.com/m19YFYQuWv

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 14, 2022

Royals from across the world will be attending the funeral. Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been confirmed as guests, while former monarchs Juan Carlos and Sofía have also been invited. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, and Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have all confirmed their attendance. Other members of Europe’s royal families will also be at the service, including Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Greece.

As for world leaders, UK PM Liz Truss, and Labour party leader, Sir Keir Starmer will be at the Queen’s funeral, as will First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Irish premier, Michael Martin.

US President Joe Biden will be present, with the First Lady Jill Biden. Leaders from across Europe will also be at the funeral service, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Finland’s President, Sauli Niinisto.

On September 18, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai arrived at Buckingham Palace to offer his condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  He was accompanied by Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation.

. @HHShkMohd arrives at Buckingham Palace, to offer his condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/CCTeHcqVBN

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 18, 2022

Other world leaders expected to be present at the funeral include New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has confirmed his attendance, as did Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro.