The ultimate resting place of the Queen would be marked by a number of events on Sunday through Monday throughout the UK.
In honour of the events, Osinbajo left Abuja on Saturday to join world leaders including members of the Commonwealth, Heads of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, and foreign royal families to sympathise with members of the England Royal Family.
The funeral service is also scheduled to hold at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
King Charles lll and Queen Consort Camilla are expected to receive Osinbajo and other guests and dignitaries today in Buckingham Palace ahead of the commencement of the events on Sunday.
A statement issued on Saturday (yesterday) by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande reads: “Earlier on that day, the VP will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.
“Queen Elizabeth ll was the Head of the Commonwealth and the longest serving British monarch. She passed on at 96 on the 8th of September this year at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Vice President will return to Nigeria after Monday’s State Funeral.”
Meanwhile, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the president of Zimbabwe, was denied access to the funeral of England’s Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles III, the late Queen’s son, reportedly disagrees with the African president’s request over an alleged violation of human rights in his country.
Despite not being on the list of world leaders invited to the event at Buckingham Palace, Mnangagwa reportedly asked the king in a condolence letter to attend the Queen’s funeral.
King Charles, however, stated in a statement via the Senior Correspondence Officer’s deputy, Miss Jennie Vine, that the request from the president of Zimbabwe could not be granted.
The said statement read, “His Majesty King Charles III, has asked me to inform you that President Mnangagwa’s request cannot be granted as it would go against the restrictions, including those of travel that the United Kingdom has in place with regards to many of the Zimbabwean governmental leadership and those connected to them. There is also concern at the confirmed reports of non-adherence to respecting human rights occurring in Zimbabwe.
“As you stated in your additional letter, other world leaders, including those from Africa, have been invited and we note your concern that President Mnangagwa has not been invited and for good international relations you feel he should be, however, the restrictions still apply.”
