It developed into a significant problem that was highly debated among the general populace of nations whose heads of state had been instructed to ride in shared buses in order to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
On September 19, 2022, the memorial service for the late Queen was held at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom. Westminster Abbey was the location of the service.
a great number of world leaders, including the heads of state for Commonwealth nations like Ghana and Kenya, among others. The new King, Charles III, extended invitations to a number of world leaders, including the President of the United States, Joe Biden, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-Yeol.
There were restrictions on who could attend the funeral due to the rules that had to be followed, despite the fact that numerous international leaders had been invited.
This was confirmed in a statement that was distributed by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
As part of the preparations, the office issued a warning to foreign leaders, stating that they should try their best to arrive in the UK using commercial aircraft rather than private jets due to the fact that Heathrow Airport will be blocked to such kinds of flights. In addition, they were instructed to meet at a location in West London, from whence they would be transported via bus to and from Westminster Abbey, the location of the burial service.
As a result, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kenya’s President William Ruto and Kenya’s First Lady, and Tanzania’s President Suluhu boarded a bus that had been organized just for them in order to attend the event.
Specifics about the reasons why Biden and others were granted exemptions:
However, the President of the United States, Vice President Joe Biden, and some other leaders from G-7 countries, such as the President of France, Isaac Herzog of Israel, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, and the Emperor of Japan Naruhito, were spared from this command.
They were allowed to use their official vehicles, and it was reported that Vice President Joe Biden, who was attending the event with his wife, was going to arrive in his 7-ton armoured Cadillac presidential limousine known as “The Beast” escorted by a convoy of vehicles. They were also permitted to use their official vehicles.
The White House reportedly insisted that Vice President Biden ride in a six-car motorcade for “security reasons,” as reported by the news portal Express in the United Kingdom. Because their request was granted by the relevant authorities in the UK, this development occurred.
According to the Washington Post, the limousine used by the President of the United States is armored and features bigger wheels, a heavy-duty chassis, increased room for passengers, secure encrypted communications equipment, and elaborate interiors that can include foldout offices.
The report also mentioned that officials from Buckingham Palace declined to “comment on security matters” and instead directed reporters to the United States for answers to any questions regarding this topic.
To “ease traffic congestion,” all other foreign leaders, with the exception of these exemptions and the families of certain European Royals, were supposed to be bused.
Source: ghanaweb.com
