Russia, Belarus not invited to Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Britain has not invited representatives from Russia and Belarus to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral next week, the Reuters news agency has reported, citing a Whitehall source.

A hearse carries the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Edinburgh, Scotland, September 12, 2022.

Photo: EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN

Britain, along with its Western allies, has sought to isolate Russia and its ally Belarus on the international arena with economic sanctions and other measures in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

According to the BBC, about 500 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the queen's funeral in London on Monday, September 19.

A host of world leaders including Poland's President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda have confirmed attendance for the event, Polish state news agency PAP has reported.

Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday at the age of 96 after more than 70 years on the British throne.

“The country loaded its whole self into your slender hands,
Hands that can rest, now, relieved of a century’s weight.”

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞

A poem in memory of Her Majesty The Queen from the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage: pic.twitter.com/XvleC9vsus

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 13, 2022

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters