Will world leaders get a bus to King Charles III’s coronation? How they will travel to Westminster Abbey

King Charles III’s coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May
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World leaders will not be transported by bus to the King’s coronation next month, according to reports.

The Telegraph has said that foreign dignitaries visiting London for the ceremony will travel to Westminster Abbey in their own cars. It is in contrast to the Queen’s funeral in September last year when the majority travelled together to the event.

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President Joe Biden will not be attending the coronation, it was previously confirmed. He will be represented by his wife First Lady Dr Jill Biden.

Prince Harry will be returning to Britain from his home in California to attend his father and step-mother’s coronation. He will not be joined by the Duchess of Sussex, who will remain in the U.S. with their children.

Here is what you need to know:

How will world leaders travel to the coronation?

The Sunday Telegraph has reported that world leaders will travel to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in their own cars. It comes following complaints about how they were forced to take a bus together for the Queen’s funeral.

Why did world leaders travel to the Queen’s funeral by bus?

Members of the public walk past Westminster Abbey, where the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place, in London on September 17, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, until 0530 GMT on September 19, a few hours before her funeral, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects. (Photo by Ben Stansall / various sources / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)Members of the public walk past Westminster Abbey, where the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place, in London on September 17, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, until 0530 GMT on September 19, a few hours before her funeral, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects. (Photo by Ben Stansall / various sources / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of the public walk past Westminster Abbey, where the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place, in London on September 17, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, until 0530 GMT on September 19, a few hours before her funeral, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects. (Photo by Ben Stansall / various sources / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

World Leaders who attended the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday were ordered to travel together by bus. The Telegraph reports: “Global leaders are being ordered to give up their diplomatic cars and, instead, share transport with their fellow Presidents and Prime Ministers as part of plans organised Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to enable safe travel to the funeral.”

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New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern refuted concerns about the plans. She said: “I don’t think the bus warrants too much fuss.

“I’m kind of interested there’s so much fuss about the bus, I don’t think the bus warrants too much fuss. When we came here for CHOGM [Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] we used buses for transport... it just makes good sense. We’re a very practical people.”

Which world leaders used the bus?

Cristina Gallardo from POLITICOEurope reported that the following world leaders and royals travelled to the funeral by bus:

  • King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan
  • King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
  • Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
  • King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain
  • Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
  • Polish President Andrzej Duda and wife Agata
  • German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
  • King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway
  • President Halimah Yacob of Singapore

When and where is the coronation?

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be coronated at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May. The royal couple will travel from Buckingham Palace for the service, which is due to begin at 11am.

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A procession through the streets of London will take them back to Buckingham Palace later in the day.

Who will attend the coronation?

The eve of the King’s Coronation will be marked by a glittering Buckingham Palace reception attended by foreign royalty. Princess Beatrix, the former queen of the Netherlands, has confirmed her attendance at the event, expected to be hosted by Charles, alongside her granddaughter and heir to the Dutch throne Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will not be among the guests, who are likely to include British royalty and presidents and prime ministers from across the globe, but will be at Westminster Abbey to see Charles crowned on 6 May. US president Joe Biden is not travelling to the UK for the coronation, but First Lady Jill Biden will represent America.

The Duke of Sussex, who has a troubled relationship with Charles, will be among the guests to see his fathered crowned – but his appearance at the palace reception will be open to speculation. The Royal House of the Netherlands confirmed the attendance of the Dutch monarch and his wife on its official website.

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