The world’s monarchs mourn the Queen at her funeral in London

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium

The Queen’s distant cousin King Philippe of Belgium will attend the funeral with his wife, Queen Mathilde. 

The monarchs share several common ancestors, including Franz, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, who was the grandfather of Queen Victoria and the father of King Leopold I of the Belgians.

They are also related via King Christian IX of Denmark, known as the ‘grandfather of Europe’ due to his far-reaching family tree. The Queen is King Christian IX’s great-great granddaughter. Philippe is his great-great-great-grandson. 

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will attend the service without their four children.

Their daughter Princess Elisabeth, who will one day ascend the throne, last week represented her parents when she signed a book of condolence to the Queen in Brussels. 

In a statement released shortly after the Queen’s death, the couple said: ‘[The Queen]  was an extraordinary personality. We will always keep fond memories of this great Lady who throughout her reign showed dignity, courage and dedication. 

‘Each of our meetings will remain forever etched in our memories. We extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the British people. Rest in peace, Your Majesty, with your beloved husband.’ 

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who was the first to RSVP to the Queen’s funeral, is the Queen’s fifth cousin once removed thanks to an ancient connection in their family tree. 

Willem-Alexander is a descendant of Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau, who was the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and his wife Anne, the eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and his consort Caroline of Ansbach.

The Queen is descendant from Princess Carolina through her paternal grandmother Queen Mary, wife of King George V.

King Willem-Alexander will attend with his wife, Maxima, and his mother, Princess Beatrix, who abdicated in 2013.

 The Dutch royals were also among the first to pay tribute to Her Majesty.

The official account for the Dutch Royal Family posted photos of the Queen, the new King Charles III and the new Queen Consort Camilla hosting Willem-Alexander and Máxima at Buckingham Palace on a state visit in October 2018.

The statement read: ‘We remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection.

‘Steadfast and wise, she dedicated her long life to serving the British people. We feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time.

 ‘We are very grateful for our countries’ close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution.’

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain

The Spanish King, who ascended the throne in 2014, will also be among the mourners at Westminster Abbey on Monday. He will be joined by his wife Queen Letizia. 

He is related to the Queen on both sides of his family and referred to the monarch as ‘aunt Lilibet’. 

His mother, Queen Sofia, was a third cousin of the Queen and a first cousin once removed of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Felipe’s father, Juan Carlos, is a descendant of Queen Victoria. His grandmother, Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, was the daughter of Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice.

Juan Carlos, 83, who abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son Felipe VI, 53, has been living in Abu Dhabi since summer 2020 after becoming the target of several probes in Spain over his financial dealings. 

There were questions over whether he would attend the funeral but he looks set to be among the mourners at Westminster Abbey.  

He will be in attendance at the funeral with his wife Queen Sofia. 

Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik

The Queen of Denmark celebrated her Golden Jubilee at the weekend, but modified the event’s proceedings after the death of the Queen was announced. 

Following Elizabeth II’s death, Margrethe II of Denmark has become the only living Queen in the world.

The 82-year-old is also now the second longest reigning monarch in the world, second only to Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei. She is also the world’s longest serving current head of state. While the Sultan of Brunei has been a monarch since 1967, he only became head of state in 1984 – when Brunei gained independence from the UK.

Both Queens are great-great granddaughters of Queen Victoria – making them third cousins – with Margrethe often looking up to Elizabeth like a big sister.

In May, Margrethe told the UK’s ITV news that Elizabeth, 14 years her senior, was a ‘huge inspiration’ to her as the only other living Queen.

‘[Queen Elizabeth] was 26 when she became Queen. When I was growing up, I hoped I wouldn’t be as young as that when my father died. It made an enormous impression on me. The fact that she was dedicating her life. I understood what that meant. This is for life. That is the whole point of my life. And I know she sees that too,’ she said.

‘When I was growing up, my mother and father said to me, “look at what they do in England” and I could see that it could be done and it was worthwhile and you could live a very full life with it, even with a heavy schedule and demanding job.’

She is also the first cousin of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf through Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Margaret of Connaught. 

Margaret of Connaught was the daughter of Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught. She was also Queen Margrethe’ and Carl Gustav’s great-aunt. 

In a statement she wished the new King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla her ‘deepest thoughts and prayers’ after Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral.

Speaking on behalf of the Danish family she was ‘deeply moved’ by the sad news of her ‘beloved mother’s death’.

‘I send you and Camilla my warmest thoughts and prayers,’ she said.

‘She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all. We shall miss her terribly.

‘Her 70 years of reign and service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth are an unprecedented and remarkable achievement.

‘We shall always remember her important contributions to their development and prosperity.’

 Queen Margrethe will be joined by her son and heir Crown Prince Frederik. It was initially believed his wife Australian-born Princess Mary would be joining, but local media in Denmark has since reported she is no longer attending due to a UK Foreign Office error meaning only two royals from each state can attend. 

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden 

At the age of 75 Carl is the longest reigning monarch in Swedish history, having took to the throne in 1973. 

He and his wife Queen Silvia, 77, a German-Brazilian former flight attendant will be in attendance.

King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden is one of the European royals with the closest ties to the Queen. 

He is a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria and was a third cousin of the late Monarch. 

That is because the Swedish King is the great-grandson of Queen Victoria’s son Prince Arthur, and is also related, on her mother’s side to Victoria’s eighth son, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany.   

Carl paid his condolences to his ‘dear relative’ following the Queen’s death.

‘The Queen served Her countries and the Commonwealth with an outstanding devotion and sense of duty. She has been a constant presence, not only in British society but internationally. In addition, she has always been a good friend to my family and a link to our shared family history,’ he said in a statement. 

King Harald & Queen Sonja of Norway

King Harald of Norway is a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth and 78th in line to the British throne. 

Harald V has ruled the Scandinavian country since January 1991, succeeding his father, Olav V. He will likely be in attendance alongside his wife Queen Sonja.

Harald V and the Queen shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The Queen’s grandfather King George V was the brother of Harald’s grandmother Princess Maude, who  married King Haakon VII.

Paying tribute to Her Majesty, the King said: ‘Our thoughts are with His Majesty The King and the members of the Royal Family on the loss of Queen Elizabeth. 

‘For nearly a century, Her Majesty devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth, following the British people through good days and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow. We also send our condolences to the British people.’ 

Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Maria Teresa will also attend today’s ceremony. 

Henri, who came to power in 2000, is a relative of the Monarch via Leopold I, Prince Albert’s uncle. 

Posting on Twitter after Her Majesty’s death, the Luxembourg royal family wrote: ‘Their Royal Highnesses are deeply moved and saddened by the news of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch deeply attached to the friendship between our two countries. 

‘HRH the Grand Duke will send a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Luxembourg to the British Royal Family.’ 

Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein 

Alois, the Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein was the last European royal to confirm he would attend the Monarch’s ceremony. 

Aged 54, he has been regent of his country since 2004 ands has been raising his four children with his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie, who will also be in attendance. 

His father, Hans-Adam II, is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein and an eighth cousin of Queen Elizabeth – making them one of the most distantly related royals in Europe.

They are both descendants of Ludwig, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

Prince Albert & Princess Charlene of Monaco

Prince Albert of Monaco – who competed in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics five times from 1988 to 2002 -ascended to the Monaco throne after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on 6th April 2005. 

He is married to Charlene, a South-African Olympic swimmer, but their marriage has been plagued by controversy over the past year with Albert admitting to two illegitimate children and Charlene spending a significant amount of time outside of Monaco.

The pair share seven-year-old twins Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco and Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès.

Albert, who is the son of Grace Kelly, and Charlene will no doubt put on a united front to pay tribute to Her Majesty at the service.

Through his father, Prince Rainer, Albert is 7th cousin twice removed of Queen Elizabeth II. Their common ancestor is Johann Wilhelm Friso, Prince of Orange-Nassau.

ASIAN ROYAL FAMILIES 

Sultan Hassanal of Brunei 

The Sultan of Brunei, who met the Queen several times throughout his reign, has also confirmed he will attend her funeral. 

He has travelled to the UK many a time and has met with both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister David Cameron. 

Aged 74, he has been ruling over Brunei since since 1967, making him the longest running monarch in the world.

In addition to being the country’s Sultan and absolute monarch, 76-year-old Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III has also been the Prime Minister of Brunei since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.

His reign has also been mired in controversy. He has faced criticism of his country’s human rights record, and questions have been raised over business dealings.

Despite this, Bolkiah has appeared to have enjoyed a close relationship with The Queen. Like his father before him, he was knighted by Her Majesty, and the pair met on several occasions during their reigns – in both London and Bandar Seri Begawan.

 King Jigme & Queen Jetsun of Bhutan

The Bhutanese Monarchs will also travel to London for the Sovereign’s funeral. 

King Jigme has been in power in Bhutan since 2011, and married his wife Jetsun Pema that same year. 

They share two sons, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, who will not travel to London with them. 

Their oldest son, Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, is the heir to the Bhutanese throne. King Jigme, the hugely popular fifth Druk Gyalpo, studied in the UK and the US and ascended the throne in 2006, aged just 26 after his own father abdicated.

Unlike his son, who plans to have a monogamous marriage, the former King, who introduced democracy to Bhutan during his reign, has four wives, all sisters who he married on the same day.

But despite his own upbringing, the current monarch has made clear that he only plans to have one wife, whom he married on October 13, 2011, when she was still an international relations student at Regent’s College in London. 

Emperor Naruhito & Empress Masako of Japan

Nahurito, 62, became Emperor of Japan after succeeding to his father Emperor Akihito in 2019.

His wife Empress Masako, will attend the ceremony with him, but their daughter Princess Mako will stay in Japan. 

The couple flew first class into London before swapping  their luxury digs for a shuttle bus alongside other world dignitaries to get to the Queen’s funeral.

Leaked Government documents revealed plans for world leaders to travel en masse in a bus to Westminster Abbey for Monday’s service, rather than using private cars. 

One of the newer world monarch’s he formally proclaimed his ascendancy to the throne in 2019 in a centuries-old ceremony attended by dignitaries from more than 180 countries, pledging to fulfil his duty as a symbol of the state. 

‘I swear that I will act according to the constitution and fulfil my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people,’ he declared, his voice slightly hoarse, in front of about 2,000 guests, including Britain’s Prince Charles.

Sultan Haitham of Oman

At 66, Haitham of Oman has been reigning since 2020, where he was named as successor by Sultan Qaboos before his death.

Before becoming Sultan, Haitham served in Qaboos cabinet and was Minister of Heritage and Culture from 2002 to 2020. 

The Sultan met the Queen during his visit to the UK in 2021.  The Middle Eastern ruler was joined by his wife, Her Highness The Honourable Lady Sayyida Ahad Bint Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Busaidiyah during the visit.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, a former culture and heritage minister who studied at Oxford, came to power after the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos – the Arab world’s longest-serving ruler – last year. 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah & Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku of Malaysia 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah, 63, became the King of Malaysia in 2019. 

As a young man, he completed his military training in the UK at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He will attend the ceremony with his wife, Raja Permaisury Agong Tunky. 

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was crowned monarch after Sultan Muhammad V stepped down after the last his reported marriage to a Russian ex-beauty queen, Oksana Voevodina. 

The ceremony was televised nationally and attended by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and hundreds of guests decked out in Islamic finery.

Before being sworn in at the palace, the 63-year-old, who is also the ceremonial ruler of central Pahang state, was given a welcome at the national parliament and inspected a guard of honour.

 His predecessor, Sultan Muhammad V  stepped aside following just two years on the throne after he went on medical leave. Reports then surfaced he had married a former Miss Moscow in November.

OTHERS 

King Tupou of Tonga

At 63, King Tupou has been the Monarch of Tonga since 2012, and met with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2018. 

He is married, however, it was not confirmed that his wife, Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho, will attend Monday’s ceremony with him. 

His brother, Oxford-educated King George Tupou V passed away in a Hong Kong Hospital at the age of 63 in 2012, the cause of death believed to be linked to kidney problems.

FORMER MONARCHIES 

Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece

Prince Pavlos is the eldest son and second child of Constantine II, the last King of Greece from 1964 to 1973 and his wife, Anne-Marie of Denmark. 

He is married to Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece. 

In a statement last week he thanked The Queen ‘for the kindness HM gave to my parents and family in times of need.’ 

Crown Princess Marie Chantal also said: ‘A sad day today on hearing that Her Majesty the Queen passed. May she Rest In Peace and I am sure the heavens have a special place for her. She taught us duty, honor, love and above all else courage. She ruled immaculately and was so loved. Thank you for your service and for showing my in-laws such kindness and love during their darkest days.’ 

Prince Emanuele of Savoy (Italy)

Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 47, who is known as the ‘Pasta Prince’, due to his career running food trucks in LA, announced his plans to run for political office last year. 

The defunct Italian throne runs a catering business called Prince of Venice and has lead a colourful life in the public eye, claiming to have dated Kate Moss and starring on Italy’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

He is the grandson of Umberto II, the last reigning king of Italy, who was deposed in 1946 when the country became a republic.

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia

Alexander was born in exile at London’s Claridge’s hotel, which was temporarily declared Yugoslavia for a day in 1945 to get around succession laws requiring future kings to be born on home territory. 

But in 2001, after the Yugoslav wars, he moved ‘home’. 

He is a close friend of King Charles who has previously backed his attempts to get palaces from the Serbian government. Charles has visited his school chum and posed for photos at the Royal Palace.

Margareta & Prince Radu of Romania

Margareta, who was educated at a boarding school in Hampshire, is the eldest daughter of King Michael I of Romania and his wife Queen Anne. 

She and her husband Prince Radu, a former actor, will attend the Queen’s funeral together. 

Charles recently joined distant relative Margareta, head of the Romanian royal family, in Bucharest to visit Ukrainian refugees.

Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria

As a boy, he was His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians for three years before being deposed by the Soviets in 1946. 

Half a century later, he ended up serving as prime minister of Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005.

Prince Philipp and Princess Saskia of Hohenlohe-Langenburg

Prince Philipp, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his wife Saskia Binder, a former banker, are also set to attend. 

The couple also attended Prince Philip’s Service of Thanksgiving earlier this year. 

Hereditary Prince Bernhard & Hereditary Princess Stephanie of Baden and The Margravine of Baden

Prince Bernhard of Baden, who was born in Germany, and is the eldest son of Maximilian, Margrave of Baden, was Prince Philip’s great nephew. He will attended with his wife Princess Stephanie. Maximilian, Margrave of Baden, is the elder son of Berthold, Margrave of Baden and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. At the age of 89, he is the eldest living nephew of the late Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and is first cousin to King Charles.