Queen’s funeral: World leaders asked to take commercial flights to UK

World leaders due to attend the Queen’s state funeral have reportedly been asked to fly to the UK on commercial flights and travel to the service by coaches.

Foreign Office documents obtained by Politico, which Sky News understand to be correct, also outline how heads of state have been told they cannot travel between airports and venues by helicopter “due to the number of flights operating at this time”.

World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are preparing to travel to the UK for the historic funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September.

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The documents also outline how heads of state and their partners will arrive at Westminster Abbey in escorted coaches from a location in west London on the day of the funeral.

They will be required to leave their own cars at the site “because of tight security and road restrictions”.

The Foreign Office has warned “where possible” leaders should arrive in the country on commercial flights.

The department also warned London Heathrow airport will not be available for private flight arrangements or aircraft parking.

Those traveling by private jet should head for “less busy airports” around London, the document adds.

Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be one of the most significant international events hosted by the UK in recent times.

Westminster Abbey will be so packed for the event it will only be possible for a single, senior representative from each country and their partner to attend, according to the documents.

World leaders who are unable to attend may choose someone else as their official representative, such as a head of government or senior minister.

King Charles III will host a reception for all the overseas leaders at Buckingham Palace on the evening before the funeral service.