This morning, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan boarded a first-class flight to London, where they are scheduled to join a shuttle bus with other world leaders to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
This weekend, the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II will be commemorated at the ‘reception of the century’ before to her funeral on Monday surrounded by the who’s who of the world’s elite, including presidents, emperors, and royal families.
In accordance with a deeply ingrained cultural notion that death is unclean, a Japanese monarch would not traditionally attend the burial of anybody other than their own parents.
His trip to Britain with the empress – the first since he ascended the throne in 2019 – is seen as a symbol of respect and exemplifies the relationships developed between the two royal houses during the reign of Her Majesty.
Instead of utilising private automobiles, leaked government papers indicate that global leaders would take a bus to Westminster Abbey on Monday for the ceremony.
British and American authorities have already downplayed the possibility of Vice President Joe Biden taking a bus into downtown London. The emperor is anticipated to be among those riding the shuttle to the burial.
Politico reports that the 62-year-old and other visiting royals would be bused to the service under stringent Foreign Office instructions.
According to the website, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands would also be placed on a shuttle bus.
According to reports, several embassies have attempted unsuccessfully to obtain exceptions to Foreign Office instructions. It is unclear if the Japanese embassy is one of them.
A spokesperson for Number 10 declined to elaborate on the preparations for particular dignitaries, but acknowledged that they would “differ depending on the needs of the different leaders.”
Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, was among the first foreign leaders to pay respects in London on Friday, while Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, arrived on Thursday afternoon.
In addition, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come with ten ‘everyday’ visitors who have made “extraordinary contributions to their communities and who represent Australian culture and values.”
He went directly to London’s Green Park early on Sunday morning to put a wreath amid the hundreds of flowers that had accumulated in the city since her death was announced on September 8 evening.
Mr. Albanese uploaded a picture of himself and his partner, Jodie Haydon, at Green Park with the caption, “Paying our respects to Her Majesty.” ‘May she rest in eternal peace.’
‘What an honour it is to represent Australia at the Queen’s State Funeral Service. Later this morning I will meet with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss to extend our nation’s condolences.’