Invitations to the Queen’s state funeral have not been sent to six major nations including Russia and Belarus.
The UK has sent invitations to the Queen's funeral to countries it shares diplomatic ties with. Most nations can send their leader or appointed delegate plus a guest but the Commonwealth realms, which retain the monarch as head of state, are being granted extra representation.
Those who have already confirmed their attendance include Canada’s Justin Trudeau, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italy’s Sergio Mattarella. Representatives from Turkey and Brazil will also join alongside the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe and Letizia.
READ MORE: King Charles' unusual demands according to former butler
Some nations the UK does not share ties with have also been invited on an ambassadorial level such as Iran, North Korea and Nicaragua. However, there are still six outstanding countries that have effectively been left out of the ceremony.
The UK does not have diplomatic relations with Syria or Venezuela, while the political situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban swept to power a year ago means no representative has been invited from Kabul.
While most countries around the world have been invited to send their head of state, those three countries join Russia, Belarus and Myanmar on the list of nations not asked to send a representative.
The complexity of organising the funeral, with dignitaries from around the world expected, has been compared by Whitehall insiders to organising hundreds of state visits within a matter of days, while normally there might only be two or three a year. It presents a huge logistical, diplomatic and security challenge, with practice runs taking place in the dead of night.
The Japanese government has also confirmed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will be in attendance. Traditionally, Japanese emperors stay away from funerals because of a cultural belief based in the Shinto religion that considers death impure, so the decision to attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday underscores the importance and the deep bond between the royal families.
READ NEXT
- Sympathy for King Charles after he writes wrong date and swears at pen
- Heinz ordered to change ketchup labels following Queen's death
- Morrisons make major change after Queen's death
- Full list of what you can and can't do as Britain enters national period of mourning
- The day Queen Elizabeth II died as it unfolded
Comments have been turned off for this article but you can leave your tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in this online memorial .
