The Manhyia Palace has announced that the ruler of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will not be able to attend the upcoming funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth II of England.
In an official statement shared by the Manhyia Palace on their Twitter page, the statement refused to state the reasons for the king’s absenteeism.
This comes a few days after the United Kingdom’s new Monarch, King Charles III extended a special invitation to Asantehene to attend his mother’s funeral.
The invitation was sent through the Ghana High Commission in the UK.
It stated that Otumfuo together with his wife Lady Julia Osei Tutu, will attend the Queen’s Lying-In-State, the King’s Reception, the State Funeral Services and the Foreign Secretary’s Reception.
However, according to Manhyia Palace, it is unfortunate the Asantehene will not be present at the funeral despite his invitation.
“His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, will not be able to attend the events marking the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Official communication sent to His Majesty’s Household and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on September 15, 2022 on the subject RE: 211/2022 and sighted by Opemsuo 104.7 FM, His Majesty Otumfuo Asantehene can not attend the events marking the State Funeral,” the statement read.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Meanwhile, a state funeral will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022, after which she will be buried, on the report of the BBC.
According to British news outlet CNN, the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will have a list of special guests including many heads of state across the world.
Hitherto, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese; New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern; and Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, have all confirmed their participation in the funeral.