Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: Vladimir Putin is not expected to attend, here's why

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is scheduled for 19 September, and as the public mourns the monarch’s death, so too do many world leaders. All around the globe, condolences have been sent on social media remembering the late Queen. Now that her funeral date has been announced, some officials are making plans to pay their respects in person – and some aren’t. Here’s who to expect in the UK over the next week, and who not to.

Who’s coming

According to Sky News, US President Joe Bidenis among the crowd flocking to London to honour the UK’s longest reigning sovereign, having boarded Air Force One on 9 September. He remembers the Queen as a ‘stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy’.

French President Emmanuel Macron mirrors Biden’s sentiments, having stated:

To you, she was your Queen. To us, she was The Queen.

He plans to attend the funeral in order to pay tribute to Elizabeth’s life, calling her a ‘great head of state’ while expressing the ‘deep sadness’ that came over him after the news traveled of her passing.

Emperor Naruhito of Japan also plans to pay respects to the Queen, in his first overseas trip since May 2019 when he rose to power. Japanese media sources cited in Sky News have reported that the Emperor may be accompanied by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Empress Masako, Naruhito’s consort.

Putin is not expected

Although Vladimir Putinsent his condolences via Telegram to King Charles III, his attendance his not expected at the Queen’s funeral. A Kremlin spokesperson stated:

I don't think she has held a place in the hearts of Russians.

The spokesperson did, however, add:

She was treated with respect in Russia, as elsewhere in the world, she was treated with respect for her wisdom, for her international authority. Such qualities are in short supply on the international stage.

With the war in Ukraine having put tension on UK-Russia relations, Putin’s absence probably isn’t a surprise (or a disappointment) to most people. And, as other world leaders gather in London, he likely won’t be missed - but the Queen sure will be.

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