Danny Abdallah stated that attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II reminded him of the vehicle accident that killed his own children.
On February 1, 2020, seven children from the Abdallah family were killed by a drunk driver as they walked to purchase ice cream in Sydney.
Mr. Abdallah and his wife Leila Abdallah lost three of their children, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her siblings Angelina, twelve, and Antony, thirteen, as well as their niece Veronique Sakr, eleven, in the crash, but they famously forgave the driver immediately.
On Monday, Danny Abdallah (seen with wife Leila and their children) was invited to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
On Monday, twelve Australian civilians were invited to the Queen’s burial, including the father and co-founder of the i4give Day charity.
He told the Herald Sun, “It was a lovely experience and an honor to be a part of history.”
I felt compassion for the family and the sorrow and suffering they will endure.
It reminded me of my children’s funerals, which made me feel a little melancholy, but I am convinced there is life beyond death.
On Monday, Mr. Abdallah was one of 10 Australian civilians invited to the funeral of the Queen (above).
Mr. Abdallah compared the funeral of the Queen to that of his children, who were killed by a drunk driver in Sydney two years ago (pictured: Mr. and Mrs. Abdallah during their children’s funeral).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his spouse Jodie Haydon, Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda, interim High Commissioner Lynette Wood and her partner, and RSL President Greg Melick were also listed as attendees.
The invitation was also extended to Australians of the Year Dylan Alcott, Valmai Dempsey, Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, Helen Milroy, and Trudy Lin.
The guest list reflected Queen’s passion for horses, with Australian horse trainers David Hayes and Gai Waterhouse as well as racing celebrity Robbie Waterhouse attending her burial.
On Monday, 22 Australians were invited to the funeral of the Queen (pictured the royal family)
Local heroes Shanna Whan, Saba Abraham, and Kim Smith accompanied Victoria Cross recipients Mark Donaldson, Daniel Keighran, Keith Payne, and Ben Roberts-Smith to Her Majesty’s funeral.
Shanna Whan, the creator of Sober in the Country, said it was “overwhelming” to attend the burial, but she was glad to represent the “rural space” of Australia.
She recalled, “From the minute I heard the bagpipes to the moment Her Majesty’s casket was carried past us to the songs, I had tears flowing down my cheeks.”
Shanna Whan, founder of Sober in the Country, was invited to the funeral and wore an Akubra-style hat as a nod to Australia’s “country area.”
Ms. Whan previously disclosed that Sydney custom designer Neil Grigg constructed her Akubra-style hat at the last minute.
“I am truly so grateful I could cry, and I did. The community love emanating from Australia this week is beyond description,’ she wrote after getting the unique headgear.
This woman of modest wealth and modest desires is rather overwhelmed. What I now know for certain is that between these hats and Carla Zampatti’s designs, I can represent us with flair and grace.’
Saba Abraham, whose restaurant in Brisbane has helped employ more than 200 refugee and migrant women, said she was “honored” to be invited to the royal funeral.