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People waiting in line in London
Photo: IMAGO/May James / IMAGO/Future Image
The heads of several governments apparently refuse to be taken by bus to the funeral service for the Queen.
The magazine "Politico" reports that diplomats are trying to get exceptions to the "park and ride" system.
The British government plans that the state guests who have arrived should leave their vehicles at a secret meeting point in west London and board coaches there.
Guests include the kings of Belgium, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands, but also heads of state and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Emperor drives the bus
They would all be taken to Westminster Abbey in luxury coaches.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, whose visit is considered a special honor, are also expected to board a bus.
However, there are apparently exceptions, as the Times reported.
US President Joe Biden apparently drives up as usual in his armored limousine known as "The Beast".
A similar exception will be made for Israeli President Izchak Herzog, the BBC reported.
»Politico« writes that five diplomats are now also trying to obtain exceptions.
Among them are several members of the G7, i.e. the large western industrialized nations.
They cited the age of their head of state or security reasons as the reason for the exceptions.
According to one of the diplomats, there were "considerable fears" among those in government about the possible identity of their fellow travelers.
The criteria for the seating arrangement in the vehicles is also not clear.
An anonymous ambassador from a European country said there were heads of state who even saw the plan as a challenge to their "masculinity".
It's not immediately obvious what bus driving is supposed to have to do with masculinity.
In any case, a female head of government apparently has no problem with the arrangement.
"It makes sense," Neuland's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a BBC interview.
"I can't understand the excitement about it." She has also driven a bus at other major events.
In any case, the organizers defend the regulation.
“It's not about vehicles.
It's about making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time," the BBC quoted a UK government official as saying.
"Do the math, they just can't come in separate cars."
The funeral service will take place in Westminster Abbey on Monday afternoon with more than 2,000 invited guests.
Many heads of state and government from all over the world came to London at the weekend.
Including US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
jpz/dpa