As world leaders converged on London today for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, Thailand sent its ambassador to the United Kingdom to join the ceremony.
While there has been no sign that members of Thailand’s royal family would attend, the highest ranking official known to be attending the ceremony is Pisanu Suvanajata, ambassador to the United Kingdom, according to Tanee Sangrat, foreign affairs spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the British embassy in Bangkok this morning said its staff observed a minute of silence in honor of the late monarch, who died at 96 on Sept. 8, after reigning for 70 years.
The British embassy in Bangkok was closed today to observe the state funeral being held at Westminster Abbey.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, aka FCCT, this afternoon will host a viewing event with its screens streaming coverage of the elaborate funeral.
Bangkok’s Baiyoke Tower is marking the occasion by displaying her portrait on the tower all day.
Monarchs from across the world will also fly into London to pay their respects. Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been confirmed as guests, while former king and queen Juan Carlos and Sofía have been invited.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway and Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have all confirmed their attendances.
Other members from Europe’s royal families will also be in attendance, including Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Greece.
About 20 kings, crown princes, amirs, and sultans from around the world will represent their royal families from around the world, including the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Malaysian Sultan Abdullah of Pahang.
The White House confirmed that U.S. President Joe Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden will attend the funeral, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.
China sent Vice President Wang Qishan to attend the funeral as a special representative of President Xi Jinping.
Representatives from Belarus, Myanmar, and Russia have not been invited to the funeral. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.K.’s decision not to invite Russia to London was “profoundly immoral.”
