Ramaphosa Queen's funeral

Cyril Ramaphosa met Queen Elizabeth in 2018 – Photo: PresidencyZA / Twitter

Cyril’s jet-setting weekend: Ramaphosa WILL attend Queen’s funeral

President Ramaphosa is clocking up the air miles. The Queen’s funeral will be his second international engagement this week.

Ramaphosa Queen's funeral

Cyril Ramaphosa met Queen Elizabeth in 2018 – Photo: PresidencyZA / Twitter

Cyril Ramaphosa will be amongst the mourners in London on Monday, after the Presidency confirmed that he will attend The Queen’s funeral. The long-reigning monarch passed away last week, after spending more than 70 years on the throne.

Ramaphosa queen's funeral
Cyril Ramaphosa will arrive in the UK on Sunday 18 September – Photo: PresidencyZA / Twitter

President Cyril Ramaphosa set for a busy weekend

The ANC leader has a very busy weekend coming up. He’s also set to attend the White House for high-level talks with US President Joe Biden. The engagement will address everything from climate change and food security, to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and trade agreements.

Cyril’s diary is now filling up for the next few days…

  • Friday 16 September: The President will attend a White House meeting in Washington DC.
  • Sunday 18 September: He has been invited to join the King’s Reception at Buckingham Palace.
  • Monday 19 September: Cyril Ramaphosa will join other heads of state in attending the Queen’s funeral.
  • Tuesday 20 September: He then returns to South Africa.

When is The Queen’s funeral?

The official memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II is also a bank holiday in the UK. Sadly, this doesn’t reach all the way to South Africa. Nonetheless, Brits will be urged to pay their respects to the iconic royal on the 10th and final day of national mourning.

Cyril Ramaphosa shared his tribute to The Queen last week:

“I met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the last Commonwealth meeting which was held in London in 2018 where we spent some time looking at letters that former President Nelson Mandela sent to the Queen, and we reminisced about the great stateman that Her Majesty so respected.”

“Her Majesty was an extraordinary public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life AND legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment AND dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a virtuous example to the world.” | Cyril Ramaphosa