JB to represent Chakwera at Queen’s funeral
President Lazarus Chakwera has assigned former president Joyce Banda to represent the country at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday.
Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet Janet Banda announced in a statement yesterday: “His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi has assigned Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, former president of the Republic of Malawi, to represent him at the State funeral ceremony of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth.”
Buckingham Palace announced in a statement on September 8 2022 that the Queen “died peacefully” at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she spent her summer break since August.
In his tribute on behalf of the government and people of Malawi, Chakwera, who is attending the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, consoled the British Royal Family and the people and the UK Government on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, who was also the Queen of Malawi between 1964 and 1966 as the country was transitioning to a republic.
He said: “For us as a nation, her inimitable legacy as a friend of Malawi will forever be etched on our hearts and indelibly marked on the pages of our history, a history she positively shaped in more ways than we can put into words.
“We join the whole world in mourning her passing and appreciating the life of generosity to mankind, devotion to duty, service to country, dedication to family and faith in God that she so humbly and ably embodied. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.”
Vice-President Saulos Chilima also signed the condolence book opened at the British High Commission in Lilongwe .
The Queen, who died at the age of 96, was Britain’s longest-serving monarch after being on the throne for 70 years.
