A number of key public figures from Ireland are expected to be invited to attend Queen Elizabeth's state funeral next week after her death aged 96.
The funeral will take place on Monday, September 19 at 11am at Westminster Abbey and will be broadcast to millions of people around the world.
However, only a limited number of guests will be able to be present in Westminster Abbey, which has a seating capacity of 2,200 people.
The funeral will be attended by members of the royal family, current heads of state and their spouses or partners, as well as other world leaders and important guests.
READ MORE: UK's King Charles coming to Ireland already as programme of visits released
An official list of those invited will be made public closer to the day but some big names from Ireland are expected to be given invitations.
As the Irish head of state, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins are both expected to be on the list to attend the funeral.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin could also be among hundreds of world leaders attending however, last week he would not confirm whether he would travel to London telling reporters that it was a decision to be made by officials in the UK.
“Suffice to say that we as a Government would be pretty clear in terms of our expressions of sympathies to the British people,” he said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney may also be in attendance, however, this has not been confirmed at this point either.
Former Irish President Mary McAleese, who welcomed the late monarch on her first-ever visit to Ireland in 2011, may not be included on the list of guests due to capacity limits in Westminster Abbey.
During the historical visit to Ireland, the Queen spoke Irish in speech, opening with the words 'A Uachtaráin agus a chairde', leaving the room and the then Irish President in shock.
However, Mary McAleese will likely not be able to attend the funeral due to limited space in Westminster Abbey, with priority given to current heads of state.
Other world leaders who have confirmed they will be in attendance to pay their respects to the Queen include the President of the United States, Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden.
Many other leaders have said they will attend the funeral including new British Prime Minister Liz Truss, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, Emperor of Japan Naruhito, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French prime minister Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian prime minister Jair Bolsonaro.
However, one notable absence is Russian President Vladimir Putin with his spokesperson confirming in a press briefing on Friday that Putin’s attendance at the Queen’s funeral “is not being considered”.
READ NEXT:
Daniel Kinahan flees Dubai bolthole as net closes in on criminal organisation
Gardai probe whether car fire which killed two siblings was started deliberately
Mary Lou McDonald not impressed after getting caught in airport chaos
Experts say common washing machine mistake is costing you money
Lucky Kildare punter wins €80,000 in Irish Lotto without buying a ticket
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
