Armenian president appears to break official protocol while stood by Queen’s coffin

Vahagn Khachaturyan, the Armenian president, appeared to break protocol when he was seen posing for a picture inside Westminster Hall in front of the Queen’s coffin.

As Khachaturyan paid his respects to the late monarch from the VIP walkway, an aide seemingly took his photo on a mobile phone. 

Government guidance states that people shouldn’t photograph, film or use mobile phones inside the Palace of Westminster.

BBC

The Queen’s Lying-in-State information page notes: “Film, photograph, or use mobile phones or other handheld devices in the security search area and the Palace of Westminster.”

A source told the Sun: “Everyone has managed to follow those rules to the very letter – apart from this one individual.”

UNILAD has approached Khachaturyan’s office for comment. 

After Her Majesty’s death on 8 September, Khachaturyan visited the British Embassy in Armenia and wrote a note in the book of condolences.

Khachaturyan’s message read: “My deepest condolences to the friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the royal family on the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who made a great contribution to the development and progress of her country with her dedication and wise leadership. 

“In this tough moment of loss, I share the grief of all of you and send my words of condolences.” 

King Charles III and the Queen Consort are today (18 September) hosting world leaders at Buckingham Palace.

500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries have been invited to the Queen’s funeral on Monday (19 September).

Joe Biden, the US president, will also be in attendance, as will German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Andrew Cline/Alamy Stock Photo

Commonwealth leaders expected to attend include Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

President Droupadi Murmu will represent India.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are already in the UK.

Meanwhile, Biden arrived in London for the Queen's funeral on Saturday (17 September) and paid his respects to the late monarch today (18 September).

An invite was also extended to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, sparking controversy. 

The Saudi Arabia ruler stands accused of ordering the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey in 2018.

The Crown Prince and his government have strenuously denied he had anything to do with Khashoggi’s killing.  

However, Khashoggi’s fiancée Hatice Gengiz insists the Crown Prince should not be able to attend the Queen’s funeral. 

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