Biden May Be Exempt From Rule Requiring Bus Travel

• The UK said foreign leaders should use escorted buses to get to the Queen’s funeral.
• But it later rowed back, saying President Joe Biden could use his own car for his security.
• The UK government reframed its seemingly hardline rules as “guidance” with exceptions.

The UK said President Joe Biden will not be subject to advice that foreign leaders should travel to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral by bus.

Politico reported on Sunday that foreign leaders were asked asked to get to the UK by commercial flights, and that they would be taken to the funeral at London’s Westminster by escorted shuttle buses “because of tight security and road restrictions.”

But Biden will be allowed to travel through London in his armored car, The Times of London reported on Monday.

UK government sources told The Times that Biden will be allowed to take his car to the funeral for security reasons, in keeping with his travel arrangements for other visits.

A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said at a Monday media briefing that the travel requests were a “guidance” rather than a rule.

They said: “The arrangements for leaders and how they travel will vary depending on individual circumstances.”

“Arrangements for different leaders will vary depending on things like security risks.”

The prime minister’s office also said “yes” when it was asked if Biden could choose his own mode of transport to get around London, per a report by HuffPost.

Some other world leaders, like French President Emmanuel Macron, are also likely to take their own vehicles for security reasons, the Times reported.