More than 2000 people were in attendance when Queen Elizabeth II was farewelled during her state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
But Princess Mary of Denmark was notably absent from the landmark ceremony, though her husband Prince Frederik was there with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
Royal watchers were surprised by the Australian-born royal’s absence, as she’s understood to have a good relationship with senior members of the British monarchy.
Princess Mary of Denmark was notably absent from the funeral, but her husband Prince Frederik attended.
(Image: Getty)While some speculated Mary chose to stay at home with her and Frederik’s four children, the real reason may have been down to space in the Abbey.
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It’s understood that only two people from each foreign delegation were permitted to attend due to size limitations, be they a Prime Minister, royal or foreign dignitary.
As Queen Margrethe is a widow, she appears to have chosen to bring her son and heir Frederik as her plus one.
And Mary was not the only Australian expected to attend the funeral who did not appear at Westminster Abbey on Monday morning.
Nine “everyday Australians” who had made “extraordinary contributions to their communities, and who represent Australian culture and values” were invited to farewell the Queen on Monday.
William and Kate visited Mary and Frederik in Denmark in 2011.
(Image: Getty)But one was missing.
Chris Waller, who trained champion horse Winx and cared for many of the Queen’s horses and was close with Her Majesty, revealed before the service that he would no longer be in attendance due to “COVID-19 related reasons”.
“Unfortunately due to Covid-19 related reasons I am unable to attend the funeral,” Waller wrote via Twitter.
“Like so many others I will live and cherish for the rest of my life the fond memories I have of Her Majesty; her love of horses and all animals; her passion for life and the respect she gave everyday people”.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also not be able to attend, however, his wife Olena Zelenska was in attendance.
World leaders not invited to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral included those from Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Syria and Afghanistan.
This article was originally published on our sister site New Idea.
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