For Monday’s funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the leader of the free world was moved to Westminster Abbey’s nosebleed seat.
At the service, President Joe Biden and Jill Biden got seated 14 rows back. This was due to a complicated seating plan that had been established under long-standing protocols. The president of Poland, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and other European royals had better views.
“Biden doesn’t seem to be very ego-driven, but he’s going close to the front,” Lord Renwick, British ambassador to the United States, said to the Times. “French President Macron would have been in a state of panic if he was not given a place at the table. Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, wouldn’t mind. “Who’s going to have a hissy fit?”
Bidens Attend Packed Funeral For Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/Z40esk6Ign pic.twitter.com/h8GZ4t62Oq
— Voice of America (@VOANews) September 19, 2022
One privilege was granted to the Bidens that is not available to other heads of state and royals: They were allowed to travel to the affair in the “the beast,” the presidential limousine. Because U.S. Secret Service protocols require that the president travels in an armored vehicle with a security guard.
Renwick stated that it was standard for the American president to receive exemptions other world leaders would not be able to get.
“We don’t allow huge swarms of protectors to surround them, but you have to control for the president.” “He is always surrounded by secret service agents wherever and whenever he goes,” he stated.
About 2,000 mourners attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. She died Sept. 8, at 96, following a record 70-year reign. The first row was occupied by King Charles and his family. Ignazio Cassis, the Swiss President, was seated next to the Bidens at the abbey’s legendary south transept.
After the service, the late queen was buried at Windsor Castle.
