In addition, they were told they will not be able to use their own company cars to attend the funeral, scheduled for Monday, September 19, but will be bussed en masse to Westminster Abbey from a location in west London, Politico reports . Official documents obtained by the agency released to embassies on Saturday also confirmed that only heads of state and their counterpart from each country have been invited. The official capacity of Westminster Abbey is 2,200 and is expected to be full to the point that having more than one senior representative for each nation plus a spouse would be untenable. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said in the protocol document that it “regrets that, due to limited space at the state funeral and associated events, no other members of the chief guest’s family, staff or entourage may be admitted ». Those heads of state who cannot attend are asked to choose another representative, such as a head of government or a senior minister. King Charles III will host a reception for foreign leaders at Buckingham Palace on Sunday, September 18, the evening before the funeral. In addition, heads of state are invited to attend the Queen’s funeral and sign the book of condolence at Lancaster House immediately afterwards. At Lancaster House, they will also be able to perform a tribute to the late Queen of up to three minutes, which will be recorded for the media. On the day of the funeral, there will be tight security and road restrictions across much of central London and so the heads of state have been asked to meet at a location in west London from where they will be taken to the abbey by coach. After the service, foreign leaders are invited to attend a reception hosted by Foreign Secretary James Cleverley in Dean’s Yard, within the grounds of the abbey, to which they will be escorted on foot. They will then be returned to the west London site by coach to collect their cars. “Multiple and comprehensive layers of security will be in place across London and at all official venues used for state funerals and related events,” another FCDO document detailing logistics for those traveling from overseas says. It also warns that “due to the extensive ceremonial schedule associated with the state funeral and logistical challenges, requests for bilateral agreements will not be considered in this case,” according to the government’s mourning period rules. There is also a warning that, where possible, foreign leaders should arrive in the UK on commercial flights, as arrangements will not be made for private jets at London’s Heathrow Airport. Instead, it is recommended that planes be routed to less busy airports around the capital. The document also warns that the use of helicopters for transfers from airports to other locations is prohibited due to anticipated congestion in the area’s airspace — notably there is also a warning that “unforeseen events may require commercial and private flights to be diverted from the intended airport of arrival”. The reports of protocol information from the FCDO come shortly after the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden has officially accepted an invitation to the state funeral and will attend with first lady Jill Biden. There has been much speculation about whether there might be a larger American delegation similar to the one at Nelson Mandela’s funeral in South Africa in December 2013. On this occasion, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were joined by former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state; and several senior White House advisers. Former President Jimmy Carter also attended the funeral. Others who joined them were Attorney General Eric Holder, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Economic Adviser Valerie Jarrett. Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea Clinton, traveled separately. In addition, two dozen US lawmakers also flew to South Africa. Judging by the tone of the FCDO document, such a large delegation seems highly unlikely for the Queen’s funeral – although that has yet to be confirmed – but it carefully sidesteps the looming question of whether former presidents, including Donald Trump, could go and possible embarrassment of having two such bitter political rivals. The Bidens will likely arrive on Air Force One, as the aircraft may land at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. Despite its status as a Royal Air Force base, it primarily supports United States Air Force operations and is currently home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing.
