"I felt I was in Madame Tussauds, with only the Queen missing there."

London based chef shares remarkable experience of being invited to the Queen’s state funeral

Suleman Raza, a 42 year old South West Londoner found the surprise of a lifetime when he received the official invitation to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, 19 September 2022 at 11:00 am at the Westminster Abbey.

The invitation was signed by the Earl Marshal and the Dean, clearly sighting that it must be kept confidential. It also marked that private cameras were not allowed.

"I felt like winning Lotto’’. A jubilant Suleman stated. "It was even more than that. Queen Elizabeth had a huge impact on my life and joining the state funeral was nothing short of an honour I would not trade for anything".

"I came to the UK with £50 in my pocket some 22 years ago and sweated as a chef in a Brixton eatery and here I was going to join the most powerful leaders of the world – simply unbelievable".

Hundreds of foreign royals and heads of state attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on 19 September - one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings in decades.

Westminster Abbey has space for around 2,000 people, and around 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries and their partners were present.

"I spotted King Charles III, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and UK PM Liz Truss at the Abbey. It was such a breath-taking moment that I felt like I was standing at Madame Tussauds. I felt elated and then I suddenly felt sad when I realised that Queen Elizabeth was missing from this auspicious gathering".

"This was the moment when it gripped me that I won’t be able to see my favourite monarch again in my life and I said in my heart, "goodbye Your Majesty". Suleman recounted with tears in his eyes.

Handful members of the public were invited to the state funeral who received honours from the Queen for their service to the general public during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year Raja Suleman Raza received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee for his service to business and charity during Covid-19.

Surprisingly, on the same day, his voluntary initiative Spice Village Uplyft was also awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services (QAVS) with the following citation, 'feeds the homeless and vulnerable, uplifts communities through diversity and inclusion initiatives’.

It is highly unusual that a recipient of the Queen's Honours is honoured twice for services in different sectors. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE. The prestigious award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.

"I dedicate both of these honours to the Late Her Majesty". An emotional Suleman stated.

"I also congratulate King Charles III on his ascension to the throne. I wish His Majesty courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss".

Raja Suleman Raza also serves as a member of the 'Founders Circle' at British Asian Trust under the patronage of HRH the Prince of Wales.

FOR FULL RELEASE & IMAGES GO TO: https://mediaselect.pa.media/the_state_funeral

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please contact Email: svlyftup@gmail.com Telephone:07823557818

FOR FULL RELEASE & IMAGES GO TO: https://mediaselect.pa.media/the_state_funeral

Logo

Images

Tags

More Like This

The Chef Who Was Honoured Twice at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Laments For His Beloved Monarch

One Million Meals Founders Share How The Queen Inspired A Campaign Which Served Key Workers During The Lockdown

Shortlist Of Design Teams Announced For National Memorial For Queen Elizabeth II

UK celebrates unsung heroes and community champions in His Majesty The King's New Year Honours List

UK National Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II to be located in St James's Park, London

Public Given First Look at Early Proposed Design Concepts for the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial site

From Flock to Fork: The Shepherd Campaigner Who Fed A Nation Gets a Royal Shout-Out!

CORONATION CONTENT – THE ROYAL FAMILY AND CUNARD