New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in London on Saturday evening to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and to offer condolences on behalf of the Indian government. President Murmu is on a three-day visit to the UK, during which she will attend Monday’s funeral service and is also invited to a reception for world leaders hosted at Buckingham Palace by King Charles III on Sunday evening.
Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96 at her summer residence of Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8. The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed in Westminster Hall as it lies in state in London before the funeral at Westminster Abbey on the morning of September 19.
President Droupadi Murmu arrives in London to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/T6zWlJGkYB
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 17, 2022
“President Droupadi Murmu emplanes for London, United Kingdom, to attend the state funeral of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and offer condolences on behalf of the Government of India,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted as the plane departed from Delhi on Saturday.
The day after India observed a day of national mourning, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the British High Commission in New Delhi on September 12 to convey the country’s condolences.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had confirmed earlier this week that President Droupadi Murmu will be travelling to London to offer condolences on behalf of the government of India.
“In the 70 years of reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, India-UK ties have evolved, flourished and strengthened immensely. She played an important role in the welfare of millions of people around the world as Head of the Commonwealth,” the MEA statement read.
