London will be awash with heads of state for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Every head of state and national leader, with the exception of Vladimir Putin who is persona non grata (for ever) and Kim Jong-un who is too dangerous to go anywhere, will want to be in London on Monday September 19 for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Will President Xi Zinping turn up I wonder? The logistical challenge to fit them all in and cope with their heavy limousines and bodyguards and hangers-on will be astronomical. The Brits are terribly good at this sort of thing and have the experience to make sure that all the seating in Westminster Abbey where the service will take place goes to the right people in the right place and order so as not to undercut protocol sensitivities but if President Xi comes where do you put him in the pecking order? And where will Harry and Meghan sit this time? At the side as they were for the Duke of Edinburghs's funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor, or embedded among the top royals in the front rows? With only a week to go before the state funeral, every head of state and political leader invited will have to be careful not to overshadow the funeral by engaging in obvious diplomatic toings and froings, although historically it is true that state funerals attended by world leaders do provide a unique opportunity for whispered chats and secret deals. But for the Queen's funeral nothing will be allowed to get in the way of the main focus of the event, the celebration and commemoration of the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Among the leaders known to be attending will be President Biden, President Macron and President Erdogan of Turkey. Plenty of room for behind-the-scenes chats there but the cameras will be watching.