From across the world they came, dressed in black and heads bowed: kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and governors-general, representing the most imposing superpowers, the humblest microstates and everything in between.
There had been historic funerals before – for Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and John F. Kennedy – but Queen Elizabeth II’s service drew an unprecedented assortment of global leaders. An estimated 500 heads of state and other dignitaries, representing 200 nations, travelled to London to pay their respects, a testament to the late monarch’s longevity and the reverence she inspired around the globe in her seven decades on the throne.
US President Joe Biden arrives for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.Credit:Getty Images
Joe Biden and wife Jill arrived at Westminster Abbey in “the beast”, the nickname of the US president’s armoured Cadillac limousine, accompanied by a smaller than usual motorcade. Reflecting his status as the leader of the world’s most powerful democracy, Biden was the only world leader given special dispensation to travel to the event in his personal vehicle.
Other dignitaries – including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and foreign royals accustomed to the highest luxury – travelled to the funeral on pooled buses after meeting at the designated drop-off point of the Royal Hospital nursing home in Chelsea.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon were among the last heads of state to arrive, an honour reserved for leaders of the Commonwealth realm nations including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern.
Albanese sat next to Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who called for a republic referendum shortly after the Queen’s death. He wore a suit by MJ Bale, while Haydon wore a Karen Gee dress.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Westminster Abbey with partner Jodie Haydon.Credit:Reuters
Victoria Cross recipient and Afghanistan War veteran Mark Donaldson represented Australia in the funeral procession, as did Allan Sparkes, a retired NSW police detective who received the Cross of Valour for rescuing a child from a flooded storm water drain in 1996.
Australian horse trainer Chris Waller, who looked after many of the Queen’s horses, was supposed to be one of the 10 “everyday” Australians at the event, but had to withdraw after a close family member tested positive for coronavirus.
Belgium’s King Philippe and Swedish King Carl Gustaf were among the foreign royals in attendance, seated in a section directly across from the British royal family. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and wife Queen Maxima also attended the service, as did King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
After Chinese leader Xi Jinping declined an invitation, the emerging superpower was represented by Vice-President Wang Qishan, who wore a face mask stamped with the Chinese flag. The leaders of Russia, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Myanmar, Syria and Belarus were not invited to the event.
Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan arrives at Westminster Abbey in COVID-safe fashion.Credit:Getty
Six former British prime ministers attended, spanning from John Major, who left Downing Street in 1997, to Boris Johnson, whose tenure as prime minister ended just two weeks ago.
New British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who met with the Queen just two days before the monarch’s death, gave a reading of a passage from the Gospel of John 14. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me,” she said.
While an abundance of political leaders past and present paid their respects, there were relatively few celebrities from the world of pop culture and sport in the Abbey – although horse racing identities such as Gai Waterhouse were invited.
Retired New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who sung happy birthday to the Queen at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, attended the service. So did television personality Bear Grylls, reflecting his position as the United Kingdom’s chief scout.
Killing Eve actor Sandra Oh attended as part of the official Canadian delegation. Actor Sophie Winkleman, best known for her role in british comedy Peep Show, attended as the wife of Lord Frederick Windsor, son of the Queen’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent.
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