PM announces Dylan Alcott, RSL president among invitees to Queen’s funeral
Dylan Alcott will be one of 10 “everyday Australians” at the Queen’s funeral, but it won’t be the first time he’s rubbed shoulders with royals.
In a packed Westminster Abbey next Monday for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will be a wide range of world leaders, dignitaries, royals and “everyday people” from around the Commonwealth – including Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott.
It’s not the first time Mr Alcott has had interactions with the Royal Family, having formed a friendship with Prince Harry in the wake of the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games, an event the Prince founded.
After their first meeting, Prince Harry and Mr Alcott went on to become “pen pals”, after the Royal sent the tennis champion a letter, congratulating him on his success at Wimbledon.
In the letter, Prince Harry thanked Mr Alcott for his media work during the games, and for gifting him a pair of Invictus “budgie smugglers”.
“PS – I’m wondering if you wore your Invictus Games budgie smugglers on the big night to accept it?” Prince Harry wrote, referencing Mr Alcott’s recent award from Australia’s TV Week.
Prince Harry added, “Mine have come in handy in this recent U.K. heatwave!”
In the letter, Prince Harry also thanked him for his “special contribution” to the Invictus Games.
“I wish you the very best of luck for the future, on air and on-court.”
Mr Alcott shared the letter on social media, boasting about being pen pals with “the Duke of Sussex himself”.
“What an absolute legend,” he wrote.
Aussie Gift Fit for a Prince! @DylanAlcott & @aussieinvictus thank Prince Harry for bringing Invictus Games 2018 to Sydney! @KensingtonRoyal#IG2018#GameOnDownUnder#budgiesmugglerpic.twitter.com/Gb0O8ZJO6U
— abctv (@ABCTV) October 22, 2018
Their friendship has continued in some form since, with Mr Alcott rushing to the defence of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle in 2019 after the pair first revealed they had been struggling with the onslaught of negative press.
The tennis champion said the Sussexes did not deserve the criticism.
“Harry is a good man, so is his beautiful partner,” Mr Alcott said at the time.
“Lay off them … they’re very nice people.”
Prince Harry and his brother William – who is now heir to the throne – are hoped to stand side-by-side as they pall bear their grandmother’s coffin next Monday, putting aside the royal rift that has plagued the family for years.
A total of 10 “everyday” Australians will join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley in officially farewelling Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral.
Renowned horse trainer Chris Waller, who the Queen knew well, will be among the small group who he has invited to join him in attending the state funeral.
In addition, Valmai Dempsey – the 2022 Senior Australian of the Year, Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann – 2021 Senior Australian of the Year, Shanna Whan – the 2022 Local Hero of the Year, Saba Abraham – a local hero from Queensland, Kim Smith – a local hero from Tasmania, Trudy Lin – the 2022 Young Australian of the Year, Danny Abdallah – a co-creator of i4give Day and Foundation, and Professor Helen Milroy – the 2021 Western Australian of the Year have been invited.
Mr Albanese said Buckingham Palace asked that the 10 invitees be “everyday citizens who make contributions to their local communities”.
“The Australians who have been invited, I think, embody an extraordinary contribution to our nation,” Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese said the group would travel with him and Mr Hurley, alongside their partners on a VIP plane before they meet with acting high commissioner Lynette Wood in the UK.
Mr Albanese has confirmed he has offered a lift to other Pacific leaders, with some to be flown to Australia before flying out to the UK.
“We have sent a smaller plane to pick some of them up from the small island nations to bring them (so they can) then travel to London,” he said.
Mr Albanese will travel to London on Thursday ahead of Monday’s funeral. He will return to Australia the following Wednesday, with the national day of remembrance on Thursday.
Mr Albanese and Mr Hurley will meet with King Charles III while in the UK.
Mr Albanese is also working to secure a meeting with new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss despite the “moving feast” of their diaries.
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