Never before has an official act managed to gather so many crowned heads, with the presence of representatives from all European and practically world royal houses
To find a similar image, you don’t have to go back in time. There isn’t. Never before has an official act, be it coronation, marriage bond or funeral, been able to bring together so many crowned heads, kings, queens, princes, princesses, grand dukes, emirs, sultans and even an emperor. In London, as his father did with the death of Boudewijn der Belgen, Naruhito has broken with the Japanese tradition of not attending funerals. He did so in the company of Empress Masako, who this Sunday did not participate in the reception hosted by Carlos III in Buckingham, where it was the couple’s first trip abroad since she came to the throne in 2019.
The royals have gathered to bid the matriarch farewell. In what appeared to be her eternal reign, Elizabeth II forged firm ties with the rest of Europe’s royal houses, who in these days of parting have shown their respect and admiration for the long-lived British monarch. There was practically no place in the world where he could go. This Monday, at the final farewell, world leaders honored her with their massive presence at Westminster Abbey.
The royal families have arrived in procession. And together they have taken a seat in the London Temple. Margaret of Denmark, accompanied by Crown Prince Frederick, did not hide her grief at the loss of whom she considered “a friend.” Guillermo and Máxima de Holanda, together with Princess Beatriz, led the representation of the Netherlands. British protocol has brought them together, as it has done with Kings Felipe and Letizia and Emeritus Juan Carlos and Sofia. The kings Harald and Sonia of Norway and Carlos Gustavo and Silvia of Sweden have coincided with the kings of the Belgians Felipe and Matilde, who were not joined by the previous monarchs Alberto and Paola.
The only European king who did not participate in Elizabeth II’s farewell was Constantine of Greece, in ill health, who was represented by his wife Ana María and his eldest son Pablo and his wife, the British Marie Chantal. They arrived together with King Simeon of Bulgaria. Another royal, without a throne, who attended the funeral is the Romanian, represented by Queen Margarita and Prince Radu.
Also, Mohamed VI has not traveled to the British capital; his brother Moulay Rachid did it instead. Yes, Abdullah and Rania from Jordan were on the other side, who have shared media interest with that considered by the press to be Kate Middelton of the Himalayas, Queen Jetsun Pema, from Bhutan, who has accompanied the dragon king Jigme Khesar.
Princes Albert and Charlene of Monaco, as well as Grand Dukes of Luxembourg Enrique and María Teresa and Crown Princes Luis and Sofía de Liechtenstein, completed the list of crowned heads in the abbey, which also includes the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; the Sultan of Brunei, Muda Hassanal Bolkian; the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah; the Sultan of Omar, Haitham bin Tareq al Said, and the Maori King of New Zealand, Tuheitia Paki.
Source: La Verdad
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