Preparations for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral are underway in London as Britain mourns the passing of its longest-reigning monarch.
The funeral of the Queen, who died last week after 70 years on the throne, will take place on Monday September 19. Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Joe Biden, are expected.
Ralph Goodale, Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, told The Canadian Press (CP) on Monday that members of the Canadian delegation had already started arriving in London. They will handle logistics, with RCMP and armed forces personnel expected to land within the next two days.
“Canada, being one of the oldest countries in the Commonwealth, will figure prominently at the start of the state-making and later during the official visits of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister,” he said. at CP.
Along with Governor General Mary Simon and the Prime Minister, Ralph Goodale will be one of Canada’s three “official mourners”. He said his office was working with others to determine how many more Canadians could attend.
On Sunday, the late Queen’s coffin left Balmoral Castle in Scotland and was transported by hearse to Edinburgh, the nation’s capital.
On Tuesday he will be flown to London, where he will remain undisturbed in Westminster Hall so that the public can make their final farewells in the four days before Monday’s funeral.
The room will be open 24 hours a day on the day of the Queen’s funeral. The UK government has warned that those wishing to pay their respects “will have to queue for many hours, if not overnight”.
Next week, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world are expected to arrive in London to attend the funeral.
Goodale said funeral preparations are an “incredible” undertaking for British officials, who have just a week left to complete planning for the ceremony of a beloved global figure and coordinate the travel and movement of the guests from all over the world.
According to Reuters, 21 foreign leaders have confirmed their attendance at the funeral. Some of the familiar faces to attend the television service include New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
After the funeral, the coffin will proceed in a procession to Wellington Arch before making its final exit from London and heading for Windsor
It ends its journey at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the memorial service for the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, also took place.
With files from The Canadian Press, Reuters and CNN