Russia, Myanmar not invited to Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Russia, Myanmar not invited to Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Queen Elizabeth's Royal Cypher is projected on the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings, after Queen Elizabeth's passing, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Sept 8, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth's Royal Cypher is projected on the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings, after Queen Elizabeth's passing, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Sept 8, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)

LONDON: Britain has not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar to attend the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II due to be held next Monday, a Whitehall source said on Tuesday.

Britain, along with its Western allies, has sought to isolate Russia and its ally Belarus on the world stage with economic sanctions and other measures in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Myanmar and its military have also been the subject of British sanctions as London steps up support for the Southeast Asian country's Rohingya community.

About 500 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in London, with invites having been sent to the heads of state of most countries with which Britain has diplomatic relations, the BBC said.

A host of world leaders from United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all confirmed attendance for the event, likely to be one of Britain's largest diplomatic gatherings in years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of the 2022 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept 7, 2022. (Photo: AFP)

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