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Russia, Belarus and Myanmar not invited to Queen Elizabeth's funeral
Britain has not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar to attend Queen Elizabeth's state funeral due to be held next Monday (Sep 19), a Whitehall source said on Tuesday (Sep 13).
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been blacklisted, alongside Kremlin representatives, after the brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus and Myanmar are also not welcome at the ceremony on Monday (Sep 19), it’s believed.
It’s said Myanmar and its military have also been the subject of British sanctions as London steps up support for the Southeast Asian country's Rohingya community.
Meanwhile, 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.
A host of world leaders from U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, to the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all confirmed attendance for the event, likely to be one of Britain's largest diplomatic gatherings in years.
‘This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades’, the government insider said.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin to be flown to London
They compared 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 allowed to have their spouses at the service, it’s thought.
