Revealed the details of the rigid protocol of the funeral of Elizabeth II: prim and modest

While all of Great Britain mourns the death of its monarch, who has been on the throne for 70 years, London is buzzing with preparations for mourning events. The day of the funeral of Elizabeth II promises to be one of the biggest diplomatic events of the century.

Many current and former heads of state and government will join dozens of other dignitaries who will arrive in the UK. Farewell to the Queen will take place in Westminster Abbey. This church accommodates 2,000 people, and the marriage of Elizabeth and Philip took place there in 1947. It is also the site of all British coronations since 1066.

The funeral is expected to be attended by Japanese Emperor Naruhito, who may arrive with Empress Masako and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron and many others. It is worth noting that Joe Biden, Ursula von der Leyen and Jacinda Ardern have already officially confirmed their presence.

It is expected that Spain will be represented by King Philip VI, who has blood ties with the British royal family since the 19th century. Other members of European royal families will also come, including those from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

According to a former cabinet minister who was a government member at the funeral of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013, “it would not be surprising if all the crowned heads of state of Europe, as well as the heads of state and government of other countries, would come.”

Considering the scale of the event, it’s really not surprising. But still, protocol for the British is protocol. And it is just amazing for people outside the United Kingdom. What can we say, even the diplomats themselves, who are in the UK, are concerned about the future.

Preparing for a funeral is a colossal logistical and diplomatic challenge. Tens of thousands of people are expected to arrive in London in the coming days. Foreign embassies are already handling hundreds of thousands of calls from individuals asking if they can land in the capital on the day of a funeral and rushing to book flights and accommodation, Politico writes.

From the lips of almost every diplomat, “we are very concerned about logistics”, which speaks of a general concern, which, in the conditions of strict protocol, is not surprising.

How the event will be organized

On the morning of the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will be carried in procession to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall. There, the public has a few days left to pay their respects. The nation observes a two-minute silence.

After an hour-long memorial service, a large ceremonial procession will escort the coffin to nearby Hyde Park, where it will be transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse. Then the coffin will be sent 20 miles (about 32 kilometers – “MK”) west of London, to Windsor Castle.

After a solemn service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, the coffin will be lowered into the royal crypt on the castle grounds next to the coffin of Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip.

Who will be invited and how guests should behave

The process does not hide surprises. Official protocol states that invitations will be offered to heads of state from each country, as well as their spouses or partners.

Westminster Abbey will be so crowded for the event that more than one high-ranking representative from the country and their other half will not be able to attend, according to an official FCDO protocol statement regarding the event.

As Politico notes, a major funeral is an odd moment for global diplomacy, combining solemn mourning periods with opportunities for bilateral and multilateral meetings. Diplomacy around such events is not only possible, but inevitable. There have been many such cases in history.

However, John Kampfner, who leads the UK in the World initiative, says leaders will have to be careful about any private conversations or meetings this time around. The matter is that the protocol of these funerals will be more strict.

In accordance with the government’s mourning period rules and “due to the extensive ceremonial program associated with the state funeral and logistical problems, requests for bilateral negotiations will not be considered in this case,” the Foreign Office warned in a note.

In addition to discretion in negotiations, leaders should be careful not to outshine the late monarch or take actions that might be considered disrespectful.

Heads of State who are unable to attend are free to choose someone else as their official representative. This could be, for example, the head of government or a senior minister.

According to an official document, on the eve of the memorial service, King Charles III will arrange a reception for all overseas leaders at Buckingham Palace.

Heads of state will be able to attend the farewell to the body of the Queen and immediately after that sign the book of condolences at Lancaster House. The farewell time is also provided by the protocol. While at Lancaster House, foreign leaders will be able to pay their respects for up to 3 minutes. The procedure will be recorded for the media.

Buses for high-ranking guests

One of the most curious parts of the protocol, which caused slight bewilderment among the world community. The regulated way to get to the place of farewell by buses seems to turn a large-scale solemn event into a tour of London and the surrounding area. Only now the group does not consist of ordinary tourists, but of world officials.

Such guests, in particular, were asked to arrive in the UK on commercial flights and were forbidden to use helicopters for movement. Government vehicles have also been banned, as everyone will be transported en masse to their destination by bus from a location in west London. Such a measure was taken “due to strict security measures and road restrictions,” the report said.

The request for foreign leaders to arrive on commercial flights is explained by the fact that Heathrow Airport will not be available for organizing private flights or parking aircraft. Leaders pushing for private jet travel should head to “less congested airports” around London, the ministry said.

After the memorial service, foreign guests will be escorted on foot to Deans Yard on the abbey grounds to attend a reception hosted by Foreign Secretary James Cleverley. After that, everyone will return by bus to west London to collect their cars.

And everything seems to be thought out, but the phrase of the foreign ambassador “can you imagine Joe Biden on the bus?” in general, it quite rightly makes you think about it. And not only about Biden, but in general about all high-ranking guests.

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