The prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand are already in the UK for the ceremony, but the guest list for the funeral of the world’s longest-serving monarch is proving controversial. While many of the 500 names of heads of state and foreign dignitaries are expected – French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier will attend – there are some names that have caused diplomatic headaches. Representatives from Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan have not been invited, while Iran, North Korea (DPRK) and Nicaragua have only been invited to send ambassadors instead of heads of state. China’s President Xi Jinping has been invited, but his vice president Wang Qishan will attend in his place. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) met the queen in 2018 and is on the guest list, despite ongoing questions about the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The crown prince has denied allegations of involvement in the murder, but Mr Khashoggi’s fiancee, Hats Genghis, has publicly denounced his invitation to London. Canadian Justin Trudeau has already paid his respects to the Queen in lieu of state at London’s Westminster Hall and signed a book of condolences at Lancaster House. So will other visitors today. The new King Charles III will host an official state reception for international guests this evening at Buckingham Palace.
