Funeral of Elizabeth II: why the date is a problem for Emmanuel Macron

God Save the Queen. Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday September 8 at the age of 96 and the eyes of the whole world remain riveted on the United Kingdom. If his succession is assured – Prince Charles was proclaimed king on Saturday September 10 – many questions remain unanswered, in particular with regard to his funeral. Scheduled for Monday, September 19 at 11 a.m., the ceremony will unsurprisingly bring together many heads of state and crowned heads, but some may be unable to attend.

Among those who could be absent subscribers on September 19 is Emmanuel Macron, expected at the same time… In New York (United States). The President of the Republic must indeed speak at the UN, which is holding its first physical general assembly since the Covid-19 pandemic, recalls Le Journal du Dimanche. A major event, to which are added official and unofficial meetings between the various members. There is therefore no question for the secretary general of the organization, Antonio Guterres, to change the date of this reunion. Emmanuel Macron will he have to choose between his speech at the UN and a last tribute to Queen Elizabeth II? Not necessarily.

According to Le JDD, the president was betting on a quick round trip between Paris and New York from Sunday evening to honor his commitments to the UN and be back for the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, September 21. Will he be able to add a detour via London to his agenda? Questioned by the weekly, the Elysée Palace let it be known that the Head of State is “fully prepared to go to the funeral” and that “the logistics would adapt”. How? It’s still a mystery.

One thing is certain, the French president can hardly ignore this tribute, he who called the queen “a friend” after the announcement of her death. According to Le Journal du Dimanche, Emmanuel Macron could be represented by Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in London or New York. It is now up to the presidency to spare the goat and the cabbage, so as not to offend the United Kingdom or the members of the UN by the absence of Emmanuel Macron.