As Queen Elizabeth II prepares to be farewelled by the world at Westminster Abbey, thousands of people will be in attendance to grieve the loss of the longest-reigning female monarch in world history.
While the guest list includes hundreds of global leaders, figureheads and foreign dignitaries, including US President Joe Biden and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, there are several major Australian names on the guest list, too.
Which Australians are attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be leading our nation’s delegation of officials, along with ten “ordinary and exceptional” Aussies who were exclusively selected to attend.
Per the press release from the Australian Government, these people have made “extraordinary contributions to their communities, and who represent Australian culture and values” and showcase the “rich diversity of contemporary Australia.”
- Dylan Alcott AO — 2022 Australian of the Year and gold medal Paralympian
- Valmai Dempsey — 2022 Senior Australian of the Year
- Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM —2021 Senior Australian of the Year
- Shanna Whan — 2022 Australian of the Year Local Hero
- Saba Abraham — Eritrean refugee who played a vital role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and was named Local Hero 2022
- Kim Smith APM — Local Hero 2022, Tasmania
- Trudy Lin — Young Australian of the year 2022 and special needs dentist
- Danny Abdallah — Co-Creator of i4give Day and Foundation
- Professor Helen Milroy — Western Australia Australian of the Year 2021
- Chris Waller — trainer of Winx and inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Unfortunately, while Waller was the tenth Australian to receive an invite, he won’t be attending due to COVID-19.
Alcott said it was a “huge honour” to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.
Speaking on his ListenABLE podcast, he told co-host Angus O’Loughlin he’d definitely “say G’day” to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle if he ran into them on the day.
“I always feel when I read articles about them – because of my own personal experience – they’re very giving,” he said, citing Harry’s work in particular with the Invictus Games.
“What I will say is what Harry has done for disability via Invictus Games I really respect. And that was my actual first connection with the palace,” Alcott said.
“Obviously I got to talk to Her Majesty and stuff as well, but my connection is through that disability stuff.
“If I was able to see Harry, I’d ask if he’s going alright to be honest. I hope he is doing alright.”
The additional Australian faces at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
Governor-General David Hurley, acting High Commissioner to the UK Lynette Wood and RSL president Greg Melick will also reportedly attend as Australian officials, as will controversial figure Ben Roberts-Smith – who is currently awaiting judgement over a case he brought against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and the Canberra Times over allegations he is a war criminal, which he denies.
Australian racing identities Gai and Robert Waterhouse will also be attending, telling the SMH they accepted an invitatation from Lord Chamblerain Andrew Parker.
The funeral is set to begin at 8pm AEST. Here’s where to watch.
Want to commemorate this historic royal event? Honour the life and legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II with this curated vintage memorabilia.
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