As President Kennedy lay in state, foreign dignitaries—including heads of state and government and members of royal families—started to arrive in Washington to attend the state funeral on Monday.[1]Secretary of StateDean Rusk and other State Department personnel went to both of Washington's commercial airports to personally greet foreign dignitaries.[1][2][3]
With so many foreign dignitaires attending the funeral, some law enforcement officials, including MPDC Chief Robert V. Murray, later said that it was the biggest security nightmare they ever faced.[4][5][6]
Not since the funeral of Britain's King Edward VII, in 1910, had there been such a large gathering of presidents, prime ministers, and royalty at a state funeral.[4][6][7] In all, 220 foreign dignitaries from 92 countries, five international agencies, and the papacy attended the funeral.[8][9] The dignitaries including 19 heads of state and government and members of royal families.[10] This was the largest gathering of foreign statesmen in the history of the United States.[11]
Moulay Abdallah Ahmed Reda Guedira Mohammad Ziani Abdelkader Benjelloun Ali Benjelloun Ahmed Taibi Benhima Badir din Senoussi Mohamed Meziane Moulay Hafid
Prince (representing the King) Foreign Minister Attaché to the Cabinet of the Foreign Minister Minister of Justice Ambassador Permanent Representative to the United Nations Attaché to the Royal Cabinet Inspector General of the Armed Forces Director General of Royal Protocol
Consort to the British Monarch (representing the Queen)[38] Prime Minister[39] Spouse of the Prime Minister[40] Leader of the Opposition[41][6] Leader of the Liberal Party[42]
Various world leaders and statesmen did not attend the slain president's funeral. Those not present attended memorial services in their respective countries.[47][48][49] Some of the key notable absences included: