President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden received individual invitations to the Queen’s funeral, meaning former President Donald Trump will not be in attendance next Monday.
A state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday at age 96, has been planned for September 19. The Bidens received two personal invitations, instead of being asked to assemble a US delegation, CNN reported.
Sitting presidents have been allowed to bring a delegation of officials to previous state funerals, such as the one for former South African President Nelson Mandela.
However, amid preparations for the funeral, officials have said the guest list will be extremely limited due to the sheer number of people expected in attendance.
According to documents obtained by Politico, the Queen’s funeral is expected to be so packed that only the heads of state and their spouses or partners have been invited.
In the document, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it ‘regrets that, because of limited space at the state funeral service and associated events, no other members of the principal guest’s family, staff or entourage may be admitted.’
The state funeral for the Queen will take place next Monday at Westminster Abbey, and she will lie in Westminster Hall from Wednesday, according to Buckingham Palace.
The White House said Sunday that Biden formally accepted his invitation, and would be accompanied by the first lady.
Trump, who met the Queen in 2018 and 2019, has long expressed deep admiration for the monarch.
‘What a grand and beautiful lady she was – there was nobody like her!’ the former president wrote on Truth Social moments after news of her death was shared.
The former president said he and his wife, Melania, were ‘deeply saddened to learn of the loss’ and would always cherish the time they got to spend with her.
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‘Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief,’ he added.
Trump’s visits to the UK were met by widespread protest.
Despite the tension, Trump said during his second visit that her ‘people said she hasn’t had so much fun in 25 years.’
While it’s unclear whether the affection was reciprocated, many believe the Queen made a sly dig at Trump during his 2018 visit.
At the time of Trump’s first visit, the monarch wore a brooch personally given to her from former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, which many interpreted as a sign of disapproval.
During his visit Trump also made headlines for committing a social faux pas by disrespectfully walking in front of the Queen.
Hundreds of thousands gathered in protest during his visits, and even flew a 20-foot blimp depicting a nappy-clad Trump over Trafalgar Square.
