Moscow on Thursday condemned what it described as “immoral” and “blasphemous” behavior of the United Kingdom towards it, after London decided on Monday not to invite Russia to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
“We consider this British attempt to take advantage of the national tragedy that has struck millions of people in the world for geopolitical purposes to settle scores” with our country as “immoral”, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, adding that it was “blasphemous” behavior towards the memory of Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be held on Monday, September 19.
And sources in the British government revealed that “invitations to attend the funeral were sent over the weekend to the heads of countries with which the United Kingdom has diplomatic relations.
The invitations were not sent to the leaders of Russia, which continues its assault on Ukraine, as well as Belarus, which supported its neighbor in the invasion, as well as Myanmar, where the army seized power in a coup last year, the sources said.
Heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, members of the European royal family and key figures from public life have been invited to gather inside Westminster Abbey, during the Queen’s burial, for the event that can host 2,000 people.
Most Commonwealth leaders are expected, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour trip with a delegation of five others.
Her Canadian and Australian counterparts, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, confirmed their attendance.
Among the presidents present are US President Joe Biden, French Emmanuel Macron, German Frank Walter Steinmeier, Italian Sergio Mattarella, Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian Jair Bolsonaro, along with Ursula von der Leyen from the European Commission.
King Philip of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia are scheduled to attend.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito is also expected to travel to London on his first foreign trip since assuming the throne in 2019.
London expects to draw large crowds during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, resulting in nearly all hotel rooms being booked, while transport officials have warned to expect strong demand.
The public can get a last glimpse of the late Queen from Wednesday in Westminster Hall, while her funeral will be held in nearby Westminster Abbey, next Monday.
Huge crowds are also expected to gather around Windsor Castle, west of the capital, where the Queen will be buried.
Monday will be a public holiday across the UK, a government decision approved by King Charles III, after his mother died last week at the age of 96.