Given the sheer variety of world leaders attending the Queen’s funeral, it was clear they might not all anticipate to reach at and depart the service at Westminster Abbey in their very own vehicles.
As a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office defined, ‘it will have taken hours every method’.
Besides, a queue of a whole bunch of vehicles and outriders would hardly mirror properly on the King’s oft-quoted views on sustainability and local weather change. So the leaders would all go by bus.
‘Most have been pleased with this, particularly because the European monarchs do that type of factor on a regular basis,’ says one senior Foreign Office official.
‘However, some, together with the workforce round President Macron of France, didn’t prefer it in any respect.
President Macron of France alongside his spouse, Brigitte Macron, on the Queen’s funeral on 19 September 2022
The heads of state arrive in buses as they meet with King Charles forward of the Queen’s funeral
French officers have been particularly miffed that an exception was made for US President Joe Biden
President Macron’s workforce, didn’t just like the bus plan ‘in any respect’
‘They have been nervous how this could play to their dwelling base, that individuals may mock them.’
French officers have been particularly miffed that an exception was made for US President Joe Biden, whose safety workforce wouldn’t countenance him travelling in something aside from his bomb-proof limousine.
Foreign Office officers discovered one essential lesson from the Queen’s funeral. ‘Macron was peeved however among the Gulf leaders actually have been livid,’ says one diplomatic supply, ‘so we ditched [the buses] for the Coronation.’
It wouldn’t be eco-friendly however there could be no avoiding a cavalcade of limousines filling the streets round Westminster Abbey from first mild.
© Robert Hardman, 2024
- Adapted from Charles III New King. New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman, revealed by Macmillan on January 18 at £22. To order a duplicate for £17.60 (provide legitimate till 29/02/2024; UK p&p free on orders over £25) go to mailshop. co.uk/books or name 020 3176 2937.