American president Joe Biden is among the few foreign dignitaries allowed to use their own cars to the venue of the Queen’s funeral while other world leaders would have to use a shared bus, media reports said.
The funeral for Elizabeth II who died in Scotland last week will be held on Monday amid an outpouring of grief for Britain’s longest reigning monarch who enjoyed wide popularity in the kingdom.
More than 100 heads of state, including Indian president Droupadi Murmu, are expected to attend the UK’s biggest state event in decades. The sheer scale of turnouts at the funeral is likely to pose logistical challenges for the host government which has asked foreign leaders to use shared transportat on the occasion.
However, Biden will be able to use the Beast - the armoured Cadillac - because of his security requirements.
Similar exemptions are also made for French president Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Israeli leader Isaac Herzog, with a government source telling The Times that it would not be appropriate to ask G7 leaders to “take a bus”.
However, dignitaries are asked to be as flexible as possible during the event.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are likely to witness the funeral. But Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky may not travel to London given the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
While the heads of government of Australia and New Zealand have confirmed their attendance, no invitation is extended to former leaders including Donald Trump of the US, because of space constraints.
Russia and North Korea are expected to be represented but the UK has not invited its former colony Myanmar with which it has no diplomatic relations.
There will be a reception for visiting heads of state from Commonwealth nations and key allies of the UK.
Biden allowed to use Beast for Queen's funeral but lesser world leaders will have to take bus
UK government sources have reportedly said it won't be appropriate to ask G7 leaders to use shared transport
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)