Around 500 dignitaries from around the world have descended on London for the first funeral of a UK monarch in 70 years.
US President Joe Biden and the Fist Lady of the White House, Jill Biden, were among the first to declare that they would attend the Queen’s requiem service on Monday, September 19.
A host of world leaders, from Japan to France, have flown in for the Westminster Abbey funeral.
But, according to reports, there have been strict rules put in place for the heads of state to follow as royal protocol takes a firm grip on proceedings.
What rules will VIPs and world leaders have to follow at Queen’s funeral?
Esteemed guests at the Queen’s funeral were banned from landing private aircraft at the UK’s busiest airport, according to one press leak.
The presidents and prime ministers might also have to travel by bus to the famous Abbey to avoid a melee of cars turning up to the solemn occasion.
That is according to a leak seen by US-based website Politico.
It reported that escorted coaches will take the leaders to the venue from an undisclosed location in west London where they will have to leave their cars “because of tight security and road restrictions”.
However, Downing Street has hinted that Joe Biden could be exempt from having to be bused in, due to longstanding US security protocols.
Dignitaries were also apparently advised that they were not able to land private aircraft at Heathrow Airport — instead telling them to go to "less busy" airports if they wanted to travel in such a luxurious fashion.
Leaders were under strict instructions to leave their entourages at home for the event, which is likely to attract a global television audience.
Only their spouse or partner was allowed to attend the funeral with them.
Official government meetings will also be off the cards, with the UK Foreign Office warning any requests will be turned down "because of the extensive ceremonial programme related to the state funeral".
Which world leaders will attend the Queen’s funeral?
Along with the Bidens, other world leaders invited to attend include Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Traditionally, a Japanese emperor stays away from funerals whether at home or abroad because of a cultural belief based in the Shinto religion that considers death impure.
The decision for Naruhito to attend is being seen as a symbol of how close the royal families were under the Queen’s lengthy reign.
The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to be at the funeral, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing she would make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation including Maori King Kiingi Tuheitia.
Canada’s Justin Trudeau confirmed his attendance, as had Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italy’s Sergio Mattarella, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro are among the presidents attending, along with the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen.
King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend.
Invites were not sent to Russia, Belarus and Myanmar, Whitehall sources have said.
The UK currently has sanctions applied to all three countries, with the UK assisting Ukraine in its battle against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion.
The complex seating plan was only able to be finalised once guests had responded to the invitations, with Thursday (September 15) the deadline for RSVPs.
As well as the funeral on Monday, there was a King’s reception the day before for around 1,000 people, including heads of state and other VIPs.
