The Prime Minister Liz Truss was awkwardly mistaken for a 'minor royal' by two TV presenters as she arrived for The Queen's state funeral earlier.
Ms Truss, who was appointed Britain's PM after meeting The Queen at Balmoral just two days before the monarch's passing, was one of the dignitaries present at today's service. She later gave a reading at the service on behalf of the nation.
However, two presenters on Australian network Channel 9 struggled to identify her as arrived ahead of the service at Westminster Abbey, even suggesting she must be a 'minor royal' or 'local dignitary.'
READ MORE: Queen's funeral LIVE as nation comes to a standstill for state funeral of Elizabeth II
"Who’s this?” Tracy Grimshaw asked as Ms Truss climbed out of a car outside the Abbey and made her way inside with her husband Hugh O'Leary.
“Hard to identify. Maybe minor royals? Members of the - I can’t identify them at this point," Grimshaw's co-presenter Peter Overton said.
"We can’t split everyone up, unfortunately. They look like they could well be local dignitaries, it’s hard to see we are looking at the backs of their heads mostly" Grimshaw added.
However shortly afterwards, with the help of a producer, Overton said: “I think we are now getting to the pointy end, as they say. I’m just told that was Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, in the distance that we could see hopping out of that car. Thank you very much for that information."
Clips of the mix-up quickly went viral on social media with one Twitter user describing it as 'so awks.' Others quipped Ms Truss 'clearly hadn't made much of an impression' with people Down Under, where The Queen was also head of state.
During the service Ms Truss read The Second Lesson, a bible reading taken from the Gospel of John which is one of comfort and evokes the promise of eternal life in Heaven.
The PM and her husband are also present at the committal service being held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle this evening.
We have turned comments off on this story but you can share your tribute in our online condolence book.
READ NEXT:
- United in grief... heartbroken royals seen looking sorrowful during emotional service for The Queen
- Princess of Wales' nod to the Queen as she holds hands with daughter at state funeral while Meghan Markle also pays tribute
- Royal fans share sadness as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk side-by-side at Queen's funeral dressed in black
- In pictures: Emotional mourners gather in Manchester Cathedral for the Queen's funeral
