"Saluting her devotion to duty, faith and family."It was a privilege to be part of the Australian delegation and a witness to history." - PM Anthony Albanese 19/09/2022 (See translation in Arabic section) Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: Australian PM Albanese says it was a privilege to attend British Queen Elizabeth II's funeral service Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reflected on his time in the United Kingdom during the national period of mourning after attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon walk behind Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried out of Westminster Abbey, after the state funeral. Mr Albanese took to social media to describe how it was "a privilege" to be part of the Australian delegation to the historic service. The Australian Prime Minister flew to the United Kingdom alongside nine "everyday Australians" that were chosen to attend, as well as Gai and Robbie Waterhouse and a number of Pacific leaders. Mr Albanese met with King Charles III not long after touching down, and later held discussions with British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A day later, he went for an early morning walk along the Thames, where he witnessed the thousands of people who had queued to see the Queen’s coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall. "Walking along the Thames, I was deeply moved by the quiet solidarity of the thousands of people who had queued through the night to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in conversation with PM of UK Liz Truss "All walks of life, united in their grief and gratitude." Mr Albanese, who posted his remarks alongside a picture of the Queen's coffin being taken down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, said the funeral service "was in that same noble spirit". "Representatives from around the world joined the Royal Family and the British people in giving thanks for The Queen's life and her example," the Prime Minister said. "Saluting her devotion to duty, faith and family. "It was a privilege to be part of the Australian delegation and a witness to history." The Royal Family, on their official social media account, paid a final tribute to the Queen late on Monday, following a day of ceremonies celebrating her 96 years of life. The Queen's grandson, Prince William, and his wife Kate Middleton also said a final goodbye to the monarch on their own social media account. Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty had been laid to rest, together with her husband and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip who died last year, at The King George VI Memorial Chapel. |
