Emmanuel Macron caused a diplomatic headache on the eve of the Queen’s funeral after he “deliberately missed the bus to the Buckingham Palace reception”… which meant Whitehall had to schedule a limousine for him
- Macron ‘deliberately missed’ the bus to the Buckingham Palace reception.
- World leaders should bring carriages together for the Queen’s funeral
- Whitehall was then forced into a limousine for the French President
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 instead, Whitehall sources have revealed.
The sources claim the French president staged the move by taking his wife for a lengthy walk which, because it had disastrous consequences with strict time constraints, forced the government to get him a limousine.
Sources told The Mail on Sunday that Mr Macron was allegedly trying to get a similar exemption to US President Joe Biden, who was allowed to attend both the reception and the funeral in his official armored car, dubbed “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 Mr Macron could not claim the same privilege for the funeral himself the following morning.
The sources claim the French president staged the move by taking his wife for a long walk, which forced the government to get him a limousine. Pictured: Macron and his wife Brigitte attend the state funeral service for the Queen
Coaches were used to transport heads of state at the Queen’s funeral in September 2022
He took a carriage with other guides to the service at Westminster Abbey, although it is claimed he was “just about the last to board”.
However, an Elysee Palace source has fought back Whitehall’s claims, insisting Mr Macron had been told in advance he could travel by car.
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla hosted the ‘Reception of the Century’ on the eve of the funeral, welcoming scores 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 intentionally missed the bus to the Palace by prolonging his walk with his wife.
“The gossip was that Macron felt he was too good to take the bus and should be allowed to ride to the palace in a car like President Biden.”
The executives gathered at assembly points before making the short trip to the abbey. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poked fun 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 overseas visitors at Buckingham Palace on 18 September 2022
The source at the Elysee Palace said: “The President enjoyed a stroll in London with Ms. Macron shortly after arriving in London on Sunday 18 September. They walked along the river. It was implied that a number of leaders, including the Presidents of America, France and Israel, would be traveling in cars.
“That is why Mr Macron traveled by car to the reception at Buckingham Palace on Sunday evening.”
A Foreign Office source said: “The UK was grateful for President Macron’s words in such a moving demonstration of the global affection with which Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held.
“It was a fitting tribute to the unique position she held on the world stage that so many world leaders, including the French President, attended the funeral.”