Consolation prize: Donald Trump invited to Queen's memorial service in Washington DC after funeral snub
WISCONSIN AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has been sent an invitation to the Queen’s memorial service at Washington National Cathedral next Wednesday, September 21, after he was not invited to the Queen’s funeral in the United Kingdom. All five of President Joe Biden's living predecessors, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter were sent invitations for the special ceremony scheduled to be held at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, September 21 in collaboration with the British Embassy.
According to Daily Mail, only the current US President Joe Biden was invited to Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Due to capacity restrictions, none of the previous US Presidents were invited to the service. A British embassy spokesperson told DailyMail, “We are following convention as you’d expect and have invited all former Presidents as well as President and Dr Biden and other members of the Administration.”
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According to the Telegraph, the invitation describes the event as a "Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." The Queen's Colour Squadron, a part of the Royal Air Force charged with the safe-keeping of the monarch's color for the RAF, would reportedly provide an honor guard for the occasion. The historic Cathedral, which the Queen herself has visited four times, is yet to announce whether all former presidents would attend.
Following Her Majesty's death last Thursday, September 8, the Cathedral's bell rang 96 times in appreciation of her lifetime of service. It is well known that Trump was a tremendous fan of the Queen and that his mother had an extreme devotion to the monarch. They first met in 2019 during a state visit after Trump became the 45th US President. According to Forbes, in a social media post on Truth social shortly after Her Majesty’s death, Trump said she leaves behind a tremendous legacy.
He wrote, “Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world.” Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II personally met with 13 of the last 14 US presidents during her 70-year reign from Harry Truman to Joe Biden, with Lyndon B Johnson the only exception. At least 500 dignitaries and foreign leaders are expected to travel to London for the first state funeral to be held in the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state until Monday, September 19, with millions of mourners expected to brace long queues to file through to view the coffin and pay their last respects.