Despite having countries of the world and it leaders from around the globe present at the funeral, there are six countries excluded from the funeral. The like of Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Syria and Afghanistan didn’t receive any invitation to the royal funeral. The step was taken considering the current political climate and the relationship that UK shares with these nations.
Countries that wasn’t Invited to Queen Elizabeth II Funeral
Here are the list of the countries leaders that didn’t receive invitation for the Queen Elizabeth II funeral in UK:
1. Russia
Russia is among the list of countries that wasn’t invited to Queen Elizabeth II funeral. The leaders and officials from Russia wasn’t invited for the Queen’s funeral following the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which had led to the collapsed of the relations between the UK and Russia.
The United Kingdom, along with other western countries, sanction Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and it came as no surprise that President Vladimir Putin did not receive an invite to the Queen Elizabeth II funeral.
2. Belarus
The country Belarus was not invited for the Queen Elizabeth II funeral in United Kingdom. Belarus was also excluded from the guest list considering their alliance with Russia. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is considered a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Belarus is also currently subject to UK financial sanctions.
Sanctions related to Belarus is in response to the gross and systematic human rights violations that have been committed in Belarus, as well as Belarus’s support of the Russian Federation’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which constitutes a grave breach of international peace and security that has resulted in a serious international crisis.
3. Myanmar
Just like Russia and Belarus, Myanmar was also among the list of countries that wasn’t invited to Queen Elizabeth II funeral. Myanmar was not invited, following a coup in the country last year.
4. Syria
The Syria Sanctions Regulations 2019 came fully into force on 31 December 2020. The UK has no diplomatic relationship with Syria.
5. Venezuela
The also UK has no diplomatic relationship with Venezuela and the country is currently subject to UK financial sanctions.
6. Afghanistan
The country Afghanistan was not also invited for the Queen Elizabeth II funeral.