Revealed: 10 Australians plus dignitaries recognised with invitations to Queen’s funeral

Danny Abdallah forgave the drugged driver who killed his three children and their cousin — a heroic act that will now see him attend the Queen’s funeral.

A Sydney father who bravely forgave the killer of his three children in a horror crash has been selected as one of 10 “ordinary Australians” to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

Danny Abdallah, the father of three of four children who died in a car accident in 2020, has revealed the moment he received a phone call from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking him to attend the historic moment.

“I was leaving Church on Sunday and Mr Albanese called me directly and said ‘Danny, what are your plans next week?’ He asked me if I’d like to join him (for the funeral),” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“I was just like ‘Wow’, I didn’t know what to say, I was lost for words.”

Mr Abdallah is the co-founder of i4give Day and Foundation — an organisation set up after he and his wife Leila forgave the drugged driver who ploughed into his children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 8, along with their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11.

Danny Abdallah pictured with wife Leila Abdallah and their surviving four children. Picture: Victor Sokolowicz

Mr Abdallah said he believes his children will be watching over him proudly as he attends the funeral in London.

“My kids protect me and watch over me, I know they are in heaven. Every morning I wake up and just try and shake it off and keep going,” he said.

“I can’t comprehend how good it would feel to be able to go and pay our respects.”

Mr Abdallah will fly on the same plane as Mr Albanese to attend the event on September 19.

“It’s one of those things where you would never expect it in your wildest dreams. This is a part of history, it’s one of the biggest shifts of our lifetime,” he said.

“As a child you would watch her on TV. Now, I’m going there to pay my respect to a beautiful queen who served her nation.”

Mr Abdallah said he was “lost for words" to be invited. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Oatlands dad will also join Victoria-Cross recipient Ben Roberts Smith on the trip, and ace horse trainer Chris Waller has also been invited.

He was perhaps closer to the Queen than anyone else in Australia and champion horse trainer Mr Waller’s special connection with the monarch has been recognised.

The thoroughbred trainer of super mare Winx who also looked after many of the Queen’s horses, was one of only 10 people from Australia, other than dignitaries, invited to the funeral at London’s Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Waller shed light on his special connection with the late ruler.
“I spoke to her occasionally, not too often … she was a warm person, and all the stories I’ve heard from other people’s experiences were exactly like mine, she makes you feel very comfortable,” Mr Waller said.

“She’s very curious. She just loved horses, loved animals, and showed a keen interest in the Commonwealth.”

Chris Waller and wife Stephanie with the Queen

He added: “My experience of knowing her was just a huge honour. She always asked about how my horses were doing.”

On the Spring Carnival, Mr Waller added: “I think it’s like all sports – they’re evolving and if you don’t evolve, then people will get bored and you’ll get left behind.

“They’ve done a pretty good job of it and people are talking about it.

“Racing needs to be talked about to compete against the everyday challenge to get people to come to watch.”

A Floral tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II displayed in the mounting yard as Chris Waller and James McDonald walk past at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

It is understood Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Mr Waller about his invite on Monday, along with Australian of the Year and champion wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott.

Eight other people representing Australian states and territories were also invited, government sources said.

Mr Waller was in frequent contact with the Queen, who he had struck up a special friendship with over their mutual interest in, and passion for, thoroughbred racehorses.

Chris Waller, pictured during day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, was in frequent contact with the Queen. Picture: David Davies/Getty

Champion wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott is also among the invitees to the Queen’s funeral.

In fact, Mr Waller normally spoke to the Queen every Saturday night after the weekend races to update her on both her horses and any other significant developments in Australia’s racing scene.

He had told friends he grew slightly concerned when he did not receive a call from her the Saturday before last after one of her horses he trains, Chalk Stream, ran at Royal Randwick.

Under strict protocols, only 10 people could be invited to the funeral from Australia outside of the dignitaries.

King Charles III attends a Vigil at St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP

Those dignitaries include Mr Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon, Governor-General David Hurley and his wife, Linda, and Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Lynette Wood.

Numbers are so tight for the funeral that those Australians invited apart from the dignitaries cannot bring their partners.

Horse racing had always been the Queen’s favourite sport. She went to multiple race meets in Australia during her 70-year reign and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, held in her honour every autumn at Royal Randwick, is one of the country’s richest races worth $5m.

The Queen was a keen racegoer as well as a successful owner and breeder who enjoyed many notable triumphs. She celebrated more than 1800 winners.

King Charles’ wife Camilla told ITV Racing last year that racing was the queen’s “passion in life”.

“She could tell you every horse she’s bred and owned from the very beginning – she doesn’t forget anything,’’ Camilla said.

“I can hardly remember what I bred a year ago but she’s encyclopaedic about her knowledge.”

And the Queen’s racing manager, John Warren, previously said winning trophies was not her main concern.

“She is not in it for the thrill of owning or winning,” he said.