The wife of Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday and represent the Ukrainian president, it is reported.
Leaders from around the world will be heading to London for the state funeral leading to a major security operation.
It has led to plenty of discussion on who has been given an invite with Russian leader Vladimir Putin excluded while Chinese President Xi Jinping is on the guest list although he is expected to send a deputy.
Also without an invite are the leaders of Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Belarus and Myanmar.
With war raging in Ukraine following the invasion of Russia, Zelensky has become an iconic figure as the face of the resistance and he has been successfully courting Western leaders for support.
Zelensky has addressed the House of Commons to ask for military aid and following the death of the Queen he sent a message of condolence and solidarity with Britain.
And while he won’t be able to attend the funeral his wife Olena will reportedly be present among the 500 heads of state and dignitaries.
A source told The Sun : “Olena Zelenska’s presence is yet another sign of the global support for Ukraine while Russia is isolated.
“Britain is one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. Her presence at the funeral is a sign of that friendship and mutual respect.”
And while it may not seem surprising that Putin has not been invited, as the aggressor in a brutal Ukrainian war, he is believed to be angry at being snubbed.
Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the decision an "attempt to use the national tragedy for geopolitical purposes," reported The Sun.
She said: "We see this British attempt to use the national tragedy, which has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world, for geopolitical purposes to settle scores with our country... as deeply immoral.
"This is particularly blasphemous towards Elizabeth II's memory."
Zakharova went on to say that as the Queen did not get involved in politics, this should not have played a part in who to invite.
She added that even so Russia offers its condolences to the British people "for the great loss that befell them".
