Emmanuel Macron deliberately missed the coach to Buckingham Palace reception
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Emmanuel Macron caused a diplomatic headache on the eve of the Queen’s funeral after ‘deliberately missing the bus to Buckingham Palace reception’… meaning Whitehall had to lie down in a limousine for him
- Macron ‘deliberately missed’ the bus to the Buckingham Palace reception
- World leaders were supposed to take coaches together at the Queen’s funeral
- Whitehall was then forced to lie down in a limousine for the French President.
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Emmanuel Macron caused a diplomatic headache at the Queen’s funeral by “deliberately missing” the bus to a reception at Buckingham Palace, so he could arrive in a diplomatic limousine, Whitehall sources have revealed.
Sources claim that the French president engineered the move by taking an extended walk with his wife which, because it wreaked havoc on the strict schedules, forced the government to fit him a limousine.
Sources told The Mail on Sunday that Macron was perceived to be trying to obtain a waiver similar to that of US President Joe Biden, who was allowed to attend both the reception and funeral in his armored car. officer known as ‘The Beast’.
It is said to have caused such irritation among protocol officials in charge of funeral logistics that the French government was warned that Macron would not be able to claim the same privilege the next morning for the funeral itself.
Sources claim that the French president engineered the move by taking a long walk with his wife, forcing the government to place a limousine on him. Pictured: Macron and his wife Brigitte attend the Queen’s state funeral.
Coaches were used to transport heads of state at the Queen’s funeral in September 2022
He took a carriage with other leaders for the service at Westminster Abbey, although it is claimed that he was “practically the last to board it”.
But a source at the Elysee Palace rejected Whitehall’s claims, insisting that Macron had been told in advance that he would be able to travel by car.
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the “reception of the century” on the eve of the funeral, greeting dozens of foreign dignitaries who had gathered in London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
A Whitehall source said: “The suspicion was that Macron deliberately missed the bus to the Palace by prolonging his walk with his wife.”
“Gossip said Macron felt he was too good to take the bus and should be allowed to drive to the Palace like President Biden.”
The leaders met at meeting places before making the short trip to the Abbey. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau scoffed at the arrangements, saying “a lot of great conversations happen on the bus.”
His Majesty King Charles III held the reception for Heads of State and foreign visitors at Buckingham Palace on September 18, 2022
The source at the Élysée Palace said: “The president enjoyed a walk around London with Mrs Macron shortly after arriving in London on Sunday 18 September. They walked along the river. It was indicated that a variety of leaders, including the presidents of the United States, France and Israel, would travel in cars.
“That is why Mr Macron traveled to the Buckingham Palace reception on Sunday night by car.”
A Foreign Office source said: “The UK was grateful for the words President Macron used to so movingly demonstrate the global affection with which Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated.”
“It was a fitting tribute to the unique position he held on the world stage that so many world leaders, including the President of France, attended the funeral.”