Who were those present at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral?
Words Cyann Fielding
Today, Monday 19th of September, marked the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. As thousands of mourners gathered across London to witness a glimpse of the funeral procession, hundreds of global dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony. Situated in Westminster Abbey, approximately 500 Kings and Queens, prime ministers and presidents gathered to pay their respect to Queen Elizabeth II.
With approximately 2000 guests, the funeral was a grand affair - marking it as one of the most monumental ceremonies seen in the UK for decades.
The Royal Family
Right at the front of the ceremony was King Charles and Queen Consort, Camilla. Alongside them for the Queen's other three children: Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. The Prince of Wales, William, and his brother Prince Harry attended with their wives, Kate, the Princess of Wales, and Megan. They were also joined by the Queen’s other grandchildren - Princess Beatrice and Eugenie (the children of Prince Andrew), Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips (the children of Princess Anne) and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn (the children of Prince Edward).
The attendance of the Royal Family also included some of the Queen's great-grandchildren. Whilst Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended the ceremony, the children of Harry and Meghan remained away from the funeral.
Other Royals included Lord Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, and Prince and Princess Michal of Kent.
World Leaders
As an important figurehead for the Commonwealth, leaders from around the world also gathered at the Queen’s funeral.
Alongside past and present British Prime ministers stood Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheik Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe were also present. The current chair of the Commonwealth, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame also attended alongside South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Joe Biden, U.S. President, was also in attendance with other significant leaders, including Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin and President Michael Higgins, German President Frank Walter Steinmeir, French President Emmanuel Macron an Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
The only world leaders missing from the ceremony were from Russia, Belarus, and Myanmar due to recent acts of war and genocide from these countries.
Other Royalty
Royal Families from across Europe, which many of share blood relations with the Queen, also attended. Royalty ranged from Kings and Queens to Emperors and Empresses, in addition to other royal leaders.
Celebrities
The high-profile event also included other high-profile individuals – however, the number of celebrities which were invited remain small. Many of these celebrities invited had a personal connection to the Queen.
Bear Grylls appeared on the behalf of the Scouts in his role as Chief Scout. Killing Eve star, Sarah Oh, join to the funeral is part of the Canadian contingency - she was joined by Justin Trudeau. as they are both recipients of the Order of Canada, the country's second highest honour. Sophie Winkleman attended alongside her husband, Lord Frederick Windsor, who is currently 52nd in line of succession to the throne. David Attenborough’s friendship has been adored by the public, and hence it makes sense he was also in attendance. Other prestigious names included Elton John, Daniel Craig, Gary Barlow, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Many of whom who were part of the Queen's life that could not or did not attend her funeral also sent well wishes and have been noticed immersing themselves among the crowds lining the streets of London. Queen Elizabeth II was known, cherished, and honoured across the whole of Britain and the globe - hence thousands of members of the public also attended her funeral, watching it from the streets of London or upon screens situated across the country, and broadcasted across the globe.