Felipe VI, Albert of Monaco, Margrethe of Denmark: the royals at the funeral of Elizabeth II
On September 19, 2022, the funeral of Elizabeth II will take place in Westminster Abbey. A historic ceremony that brought together nearly 500 heads of state and government, including sovereigns and monarchs from around the world. Felipe VI, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Prince Albert II of Monaco or even Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, all gathered for a last farewell to the queen of the century.
Only a few hours after the announcement of the death of Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022, the tributes of the royal families are multiplying. In a concert of praise and personal anecdotes, each monarch, each sovereign testified to the emotion caused by his disappearance. In seventy years of reign, Queen Elizabeth has met most of the heads of royal houses, her counterparts, with whom she shared, for some of them, family ties.
Naturally, most made the trip to London on September 19, 2022, to say goodbye to such a unifying queen. Arrived during the weekend, they first gathered at Westminster Hall in front of the coffin of the queen, before going, Sunday, September 18, to a private reception, given by Charles III and the queen consort Camilla, in Buckingham .
During the Coffin Procession, from Westminster Hall to the Abbey, crowned heads from around the world enter the Abbey and take their places in the transept.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, King Emeritus Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sophie, came from Spain to pay their respects to Elizabeth II. When Prince Philip died, King Felipe VI, a distant cousin of the Queen, translated a letter of condolence to his “Aunt Lilibeth”, a nickname he gave her. Queen Sophia’s grandfather, Constantine I, was indeed the Duke of Edinburgh’s uncle.
King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Diadocho Pavlos and his wife Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece took their places alongside the guests. The day after the death of the queen, Pavlos of Greece was also part of the unconditional support of the royal family of Greece towards the Windsors.
In Westminster, the emotion is palpable. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who are making their first trip abroad since their enthronement in 2019, are present for this unique event. The miles also didn’t stop King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan from being there, as did the King and Queen of Tonga.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark – who, out of respect, modified the festivities of her Golden Jubilee the weekend following the death of the sovereign – also made the trip. She is accompanied for the occasion by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik and enters the church at the same time as Margareta of Romania, guardian of the Crown, and Simeon II of Bulgaria.
King Abdallah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, who were in Paris a few days ago to meet President Emmanuel Macron, wanted to take part in this serious and historic day. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, is also present. Representing King Mohammed VI of Morocco, his brother, Prince Moulay Rachid made the trip.
As the abbey fills with heads of state and officials, Princess Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and his wife Maxima of the Netherlands slowly make their way to the front row, next to King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Princess Charlene of Monaco sits in the abbey on the arm of Prince Albert II. Visibly very touched by the disappearance of Elizabeth II, she had attended a religious service in memory of the queen in Monaco.
While music and canticles hold in the church, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde, King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja make their entrance.
Mass can then begin. All pray together for the repose of Elizabeth II’s soul.