CONDOLENCES. Irene Romualdez Marcos Araneta signs the book of condolences for the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch at the Lancaster House in London on Friday (Sept. 16, 2022) as her husband Greggy Aaraneta looks on. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Irene Romualdez Marcos Araneta will be President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s special representative to attend the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
She will be accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Gregorio María Araneta III.
In a statement, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Mrs. Marcos-Araneta and her spouse will be attending the events for the state funeral beginning with the lying-in-state of the Queen taking place Sunday (London time).
President Marcos left Manila on Sunday for New York, where he will deliver the Philippine national statement at the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
He will return on Sept. 24.
On Sept. 9, President Marcos mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth, describing the death of the 96-year-old monarch as a big loss to the entire world.
"It is with profound sadness that we receive the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral Castle yesterday evening," Marcos said in a Facebook post. "The world has lost a true figure of majesty in what she demonstrated throughout her life and throughout her reign as Queen."
Marcos said the Queen would be remembered for exemplifying "a true monarch's great dignity, commitment to duty, and devotion to all those in her realm."
"We, together with many Filipinos living and working in England, though not subjects of the Queen, have found ourselves having developed a great sense of affection for her as a Queen, as mother, and as a grandmother," he said.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, died peacefully on Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle, her home in Scotland. (PNA)
