Salvador Valdes pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in London

Londres, Sep 19 (RHC) Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes attended Sunday the funeral chapel of Elizabeth II at the Palace of Westminster, to pay tribute to the British monarch, who died on September 8 at the age of 96.

Valdés, who heads the Cuban delegation to the sovereign's funeral, also signed the book of condolences opened by the UK Foreign Office at Lancaster House, a diplomatic source told Prensa Latina.

The Cuban vice-president also attended the reception that the new King Charles III offered to the foreign leaders and dignitaries invited to his mother's funeral at Westminster Abbey.

The Cuban delegation is made up of Cuba's ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Barbara Montalvo, and the director of the Europe and Canada department

of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Gisela Garcia.

Following the death of Elizabeth II, President Miguel Díaz-Canel conveyed his condolences to the heir to the crown and new monarch, and to the rest of the royal family, the British people and government.

Likewise, the Cuban president decreed a day of official mourning, and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero signed the book of condolences opened at the residence of the UK ambassador in Havana.

The United Kingdom and Cuba established diplomatic relations 120 years ago, and the current British monarch visited the Caribbean Island in March 2019, along with his wife Camilla, who is now the queen consort. (Source/PL)