PRESIDENTIAL sister Maria Irene Celestina Marcos-Araneta was set to represent the Philippines during the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
She was accompanied by her spouse, Gregorio María Araneta III, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement on Monday.
“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 today,” she said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is in New York to attend the 17th United Nations General Assembly.
World leaders and foreign dignitaries were expected to attend Monday’s funeral for the queen, who died on Sept. 8.
“She exemplified to the world a true monarch’s great dignity, commitment to duty, and devotion to all those in her realm,” Mr. Marcos said after her death.
Ms. Marcos-Araneta is the youngest among the three children of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and his wife Imedla. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza