Ranil among world leaders invited for Queen's funeral

(News 1st) - The Queen's funeral on Monday is set to be one of the biggest gatherings of royalty and politicians hosted in the UK for decades.

Invitations went out over the weekend, with some 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries expected to attend.

Members of royal families from across Europe, many of whom were blood relatives of the Queen, are expected.

Leaders from across the Commonwealth, of which the Queen served as head for the entirety of her reign, are expected to attend.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Long-serving Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have also reportedly accepted invitations. India will be represented by President Droupadi Murmu.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accepted an invitation, as have New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

A number of governors-general who serve as the representative of the monarch in a Commonwealth realm are expected to attend with their countries' leaders.

The majority of leaders have been asked to arrive on commercial flights and told they will be bussed en masse from a site in west London.

The ceremony at Westminster Abbey has a capacity for around 2,200 people.

The White House has confirmed that President Joe Biden will attend along with First Lady Jill Biden, although they are understood not to be travelling to the service by bus.

No-one from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar has been invited.

North Korea (DPRK) and Nicaragua have been invited to send only ambassadors, not heads of state.