Some heads of state, including the presidents of Kenya and Tanzania, posed together for photographs in transport commissioned by the British authorities. Buses were used to take dignitaries to a reception with the new king at Buckingham Palace on Sunday, as well as to the big state funeral on Monday. Foreign governments were ordered to leave their cars at the Royal Chelsea Hospital, which was a stopover on Monday, while US President Joe Biden was allowed to use the presidential armored limousine known as The Beast. Police closed off access to roads around the hospital as world leaders piled into buses early Monday morning. Those who received the group transport included Irishman Thai Micheal Martin, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italian President Sergio Mattarella – who arrived at the security line in a Maserati. Members of the European royal family, such as King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium, as well as the official Chinese delegation, were also taken on the bus. The car carrying the Emir of Qatar was forced to wait in front of television cameras for 20 minutes at the checkpoint before being allowed to enter. From the Royal Infirmary, a line of coaches took the foreign dignitaries along the banks of the Thames to Westminster Abbey and the Queen’s funeral.
Why were buses used?
Ultimately, for security reasons. An official statement on transport arrangements from the UK Foreign Office to other governments said delegates would be escorted to the Queen’s funeral by coach from a location in west London, where they would have to leave their cars “due to strict security and road restrictions”. “Multiple and comprehensive layers of security will be in place across London and at all official venues used for the state funeral and related events,” according to a document obtained by Politico. Speaking on Friday, Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cuddy said the funeral was “the biggest global protection operation we have ever undertaken”. “Specialist officers from the Met and other forces, who work with the FCDO and many other organisations, are well aware of liaising with world leaders and their own protection teams wherever they come from,” he added. “We need to make sure this is a safe and secure event.” Visitors wait to board a bus outside Westminster Abbey after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)
Why are cars a safety issue?
The United Kingdom is responsible for the security of foreign dignitaries visiting the country and the Queen’s funeral is the biggest security operation ever held in the country. Bodyguards brought to the UK by foreign officials are not allowed to carry weapons unless there are exceptional circumstances, meaning that the UK police are responsible for any armed protection duties. The events surrounding the Queen’s funeral were seen as a major target for potential terrorist attacks and disruptive demonstrations, with large crowds lining roads leading to Westminster Abbey. This meant that the attending dignitaries received a high level of security, but the limited number of armed officers and specialists who could guard them could not be stretched between dozens of cars driving through London. Nick Aldworth, who led the national counter-terrorism arm of policing until his retirement in May 2019, said buses were used to transport world leaders to the London 2012 Olympics for the same reasons. “We ran out of protection officers and had to implement mutual aid to bring almost all the armed officers into the country,” he told the Independent. “We put groups of people on coaches and minibuses because you need fewer armed officers to protect them.” Simon Morgan, a former Metropolitan Police royal protection officer, said the British police have “the lead” in protective operations because of the laws in place. “Every foreign protection team that comes to the UK fully understands the rules they have to play by, just like when we go to their country,” he added. Crowds watch the procession with the Queen’s coffin outside Westminster
Why didn’t the US president have to take the bus?
The UK Foreign Office contacted other nations about logistical arrangements and received representations, which is standard protocol for all state visits. An official body called the Executive Committee for the Protection of Rights and Public Persons (Ravec) then decides which world leaders are granted protection and the Metropolitan Police conducts operations accordingly. It is understood that as US president, Mr Biden’s security risks are deemed higher than those for other leaders, meaning he has been allowed to travel with a security team in his armored vehicle rather than board a coach. Mr Morgan said all security arrangements must be “proportionate and necessary”. Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet the crowd from ‘The Beast’ as they leave Westminster Hall after paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)
What do world leaders think about buses?
There were reports that some nations found the arrangements “undignified”, while pictures posted on social media showed other world leaders smiling as they sat together on the way to the Queen’s funeral. Commentators on social media said the photos had “school trip energy”, with many questioning the different treatment given to the US president. Asked how she felt about taking the bus during an interview with the BBC, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: “I don’t think the bus takes a lot of fuss. When we came here for Chogm [the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] we used buses for transport, back in NZ I often get our ministers to ride in a truck. That just makes good sense.”
