Queen funeral: Russia, Belarus and Myanmar ‘not invited’

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Putin is among world leaders not welcome, Whitehall sources say (Picture: Getty Images)

Some world leaders have not been invited to pay their respects to the Queen at her funeral, Whitehall sources say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been blacklisted, alongside Kremlin representatives, after the brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus and Myanmar are also not welcome at the ceremony on Monday, it’s believed.

Meanwhile, Iran will ‘only be represented at an ambassadorial level’.

Around 500 dignitaries from around the globe will join at least 1,500 other guests to bid a final farewell to Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey.

‘This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades’, the government insider said.

They compared to the logistical task to organizing ‘hundreds of state visits’ within a matter of days, whereas there might normally only be two or three a year.

Queen Elizabeth II and President Vladimir Putin leave Buckingham Palace in London 27 June 2003 (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

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Due to limited space, leaders are only allowed to have their spouses at the service, it’s thought.

It comes following Putin’s letter to King Charles wishing him ‘courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss’.

Reports suggest foreign heads of state will all have to take an escorted coach together to Westminster Abbey on the day.

They have been asked not to take private jets to the UK, while they won’t be able to use helicopters once they’re here.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are expected to travel over.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and French President Emmanuel Macron are also likely to make appearances.

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