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US President Joe Biden will attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, officials have confirmed, amid reports that foreign heads of state will be asked to catch a coach to the service.
Dignitaries will travel to Westminster Abbey in escorted coaches and “because of tight security and road restrictions” they will be required to leave their private state vehicles behind, according to leaked documents, seen by Politico.
It reported that only heads of state and their spouses or partners will be invited to the event on September 19, due to limited space within the historic building.
It comes as the White House confirmed that Biden will attend the funeral, along with his wife Jill.
Politico reported that a communication from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was sent to embassies late on Saturday.
The department said it “regrets that, because of limited space at the state funeral service and associated events, no other members of the principal guest’s family, staff or entourage may be admitted,” it was reported.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin arrives in Edinburgh on final journey
Heads of state unable to attend may choose someone else as their official representative.
According to the document, world leaders have also been urged to travel on commercial flights and have been told they cannot use helicopters to travel around Britain.
The FCDO urged commercial travel “where possible,” Politico said.
“Multiple and comprehensive layers of security will be in place across London and at all the official venues used for the state funeral and associated events,” according to a FCDO document seen by Politico.
Meanwhile, the use of helicopter transfers between airports and venues has been prohibited “due to the number of flights operating at this time,” it was reported.
Politico said that the document also set out some of the engagements for heads of state surrounding the funeral.


This includes receptions hosted by the king and the new Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, an offer to visit the queen’s body when it is lying in state and to sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House.
It reported that foreign leaders will be invited to deliver a tribute to the queen while at Lancaster House, but it can only last up to three minutes.
And “because of the extensive ceremonial programme related to the state funeral and the logistical challenges, requests for bilaterals will not be considered on this occasion,” according to the leaked document.
One unnamed foreign ambassador sent a message to Politico reporters on WhatsApp on Sunday, saying: “Can you imagine Joe Biden on the bus?”
The FCDO has been approached for comment.
Additional reporting by Business Insider


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Britain

Foreign leaders asked to catch bus to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral: report

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth is displayed at a bus stop outside Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held. Photo: Reuters

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin arrives in Edinburgh on final journey

Crowds watch as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth, passes Mercat Cross in Edinburgh. Photo: AP

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth, as it arrives at Holyroodhouse, where it will lie in rest for a day, in Edinburgh. Photo: AP

‘I cannot mourn’: former British colonies conflicted over the queen

A vendor reads a newspaper showing coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya on Friday. Photo: AP

Kenyan newspapers on the death of Queen Elizabeth for sale in Nairobi on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Portraits of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Ghana’s President Kwame Nkrumah are displayed in Accra in November 1961, as the city prepares for the arrival of the British monarch on a state visit to Ghana. File photo: AP

The graves of members of EOKA (Hellenic Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) who were hung under British rule, inside Nicosia Central Prison. Queen Elizabeth’s death has triggered a subdued reaction in Cyprus. Photo: AFP

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth (right) with Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s Palace in Delhi, during a visit to India in November 1983. File photo: AP

Jamaican schoolchildren greet Queen Elizabeth in Kingston, Jamaica, in February 1983. Jamaica has indicated that it intends to become fully independent. File photo: AP

Queen Elizabeth’s death could prompt reconciliation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the royal family

From left, Kate, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle, following the death of Queen Elizabeth on, Saturday. Photo: Pool via AP

(L-R) Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle on Saturday. Photo: Pool via AFP

From left, Kate, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle, following the death of Queen Elizabeth on Saturday. Photo: Pool via AP

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, hold hands as they view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth outside Windsor Castle on Saturday. Photo: AP

Queen’s funeral set for September 19; heavy security planned ahead of first state funeral since 1965

An armed police officer stands guard in London on day two of public mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Britain’s police are making plans for security at her funeral. Photo: Bloomberg

Cards and flowers are laid out following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in Balmoral, Scotland, UK on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is set for September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London
World leaders told they will be bussed in groups and cannot use their own state cars



Foreign leaders attending Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in London have been advised to fly to the UK on commercial flights and are banned from using helicopters, according to leaked documents.


Royalty

Queen Elizabeth II

Diplomacy

Joe Biden

Foreign leaders asked to catch bus to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral: report

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is set for September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London World leaders told they will be bussed in groups and cannot use their own state cars

Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is set for September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London

World leaders told they will be bussed in groups and cannot use their own state cars