Marcos sister Irene to represent him at Queen’s funeral

Irene Marcos Araneta will represent her brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, Malacañang said.

In a statement, Press Secretary Trixie Crux Angeles said that Araneta will be accompanied by her spouse, Gregorio Araneta.

Among the events they will attend include the lying-in-state of the Queen. Malacañang did not elaborate.

The Queen died at the age of 96 earlier this month, after coming to the throne after the death of her father King George VI in 1952, when she was 25.

As scheduled on September 19, the queen’s coffin is set to be taken in procession to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral at 11:00 a.m.

Heads of state across the globe are expected to attend the event, including US President Joe Biden.

The coffin will be brought to Windsor for a committal service at St. George’s Chapel after the funeral, followed by a private interment service in the evening.

Marcos is currently on his way to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to touch down in the US at 3 a.m. Monday Philippines time. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News