THE STATE Funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, 96, scheduled for London on Monday, September 19, 2022, is turning out to be the assembly of recognized Kings and Queens, who command authority and respect in global affairs.
Reports reaching Press1News indicates that traditional leaders across the globe are clandestinely lobbying hard to be invited to the solemn and historic event.
But checks indicate that the Buckingham Palace, which is well vexed in tradition, are very strict as they are inviting only recognized Kings/Queens in the world to mourn with the royal family in London.
Luckily for Ghana, the only recognized King in the country, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, who is the occupant of the revered Golden Stool, has officially been invited.
Significantly, the 16th Asante Monarch has been invited to the programme together with his wife, Lady Julia.
The Protocol Directorate of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British Government, acting on behalf of King Charles III, issued the Asante King’s invitation.
The invitarion letter said “Protocol Directorate of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) presents its compliments to the High Commission of the Republic of Ghana accredited to the Court of St James’s.
“Further to Protocol Directorate’s Note No 187/22 of 8 September 2022, the Directorate has the honour to update Diplomatic Missions on arrangements and invitations for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, 19 September 2022 and associated events.
“Protocol Directorate, acting on behalf of the Household of His Majesty The King, has the honour to have been instructed to issue personal invitations as set out in the following schedule”.
The letter also says the Asante King and his wife would be attending series events lined up in London, including the “Lying-in-State of the Queen, HM The King’s Reception, State Funeral Service and The Foreign Secretary’s Reception”.
The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the official seat of the famous Asante Kingdom and the Buckingham Palace in London, have enjoyed close and cordial relations since time immemorial.
For instance, the currernt Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, upon his ascension to the Golden Stool, in the early years of his reign, was invited to the Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II to have discussions.
Also, a number of royals in the Buckingham Palace, including the current Monarch, King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales and the heir to the throne, have visited the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi before.
By I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr.,
Kumasi
