Naturalist Sir David Attenborough, composer Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and former racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart may be among the celebrity guests expected to attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Around 2,000 dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey next week in what is expected to be one of the largest security operations ever held in Britain.
In addition to the kings and queens, emperors, presidents and prime ministers, close friends, employees and prominent acquaintances of the Queen are also expected.
Sir David, who was born just weeks after the late Queen, had a close working relationship and friendship with the monarch for decades and is widely expected to attend Monday services.
Speaking to the ` during the Queen’s procession to Westminster Hall this week, Sir David said the obituary was a moment of “mourning and thanksgiving”.
Other expected attendees include former racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart, who was due to spend the day with the Queen at Balmoral on September 14, six days after her death. He is said to be dismayed at the monarch’s death.
Celebrities such as composer Lord Lloyd-Webber and pop star Gary Barlow can also attend. The couple co-wrote the song ‘Sing’ for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and performed it privately for Her Majesty at Lloyd-Webber’s home in Hampshire, an event which Lloyd-Webber recently described as a ‘wonderful evening’.
James Bond star Daniel Craig, known to have appeared with the Queen at the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, may also appear, while Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry and Dame Helen Mirren could join the mourners at Westminster Abbey.
The event marks the first state funeral in Britain in more than half a century, since the televised funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, who died in 1965.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the most prominent overseas guests who have confirmed their attendance at Monday’s service. Hundreds of key staff and volunteers nominated in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 honor roll were also invited to the negotiations.
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