Ghana’s revered King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II turns down Buckingham Palace invitation to attend Queen Elizabeth II funeral

Ghana’s most global revered Asante King , Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has diplomatically turn down British Royal family’s  invitation extended to him and his spouse, Her Royal Highness Lady Julia Osei Tutu inviting them to attend the Royal funeral rite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, former Queen of the United Kingdom.

The British Royal family secretariat through the instruction of King Charles III, on 8^th September 2022 extended an invitation to the 16^th Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II the occupant of the Asante Golden Stool and his spouse Lady Julia Osei Tutu to attend the royal funeral next week in the United Kingdom (London) precisely at the Beckenham Palace.

Unfortunately, the Asante traditional restrictions make it impossible for the King to attend the global respected funeral a traditional source in the Manhyia Palace diplomatically has said.

The source disclosed, the Asante respected tradition restrict the King from watching body which  do not have  direct royal connection to the Manhyia Royal family,  therefore, his inability to attend the all-important state funeral of the Queen to showcase the Asante respected tradition and cultural  display to the globe.

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However, deputy Protocol officer to the Manhyia Palace, Emmanuel Osei Sarfo disclosed to Africanews360.com, that the Asantehene’s decision not to attend the funeral is personnel and has nothing to do with Asante’s tradition and culture.

“On 8^th September, 2022 Manhyia received the invitation for to attend the funeral and the palace equally responded formally to their Beckenham Palace secretariat on 15^th September 2022 of the King’s inability to attend the funeral based on the invitation received. Otumfuo’s decision has nothing to do with tradition and it is rather personal. King Charles III is already in the know of that. I’m aware the King has personally spoken to him’’ he explained.

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He explained further “ Ones Otumfuo has declined the invitation to attend the funeral on personal grounds a delegation will not be sent by the palace to represent he the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at that British state funeral of the late Queen Elizaberth II’’.

The decision has left many Asante’s disappointed as they believe the invitation is opportunities for Asanteman to showcase the Asante’s great culture and tradition to the global community at the funeral.