Putin will not attend the Queen’s state funeral 

Vladimir Putin will not attend the Queen’s state funeral amid the fractured relationship between Russia and the West, it has been confirmed.

A Kremlin spokesman said a decision will be made on who will represent Russia at the service which is expected to take place on September 19 at Westminster Abbey. 

Yesterday, Putin paid tribute to the monarch despite the tyrant’s aggression in Ukraine which has caused relations between Russia and Britain to plummet to their lowest levels since the Cold War.

People gather to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth on her death outside the British Embassy in Moscow

The leader said: ‘The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty.

‘For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.

‘I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss. I ask you to convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the members of the royal family and all the people of Great Britain.’

In Moscow, some have gathered to offer floral tributes to the Queen outside the British embassy despite the wave of anti-Western rhetoric.

The embassy flag flew at half mast and people stood outside in prayer to offer their condolences to the long-serving monarch. 

Putin paid tribute to the monarch despite the tyrant’s aggression in Ukraine which has caused relations between Russia and Britain to plummet to their lowest levels since the Cold War

The British Union flag flies at half mast near the British Embassy in Moscow in the wake of her death

Mourners bring flowers to the British Embassy to pay tribute to the Queen today

The Queen made a subtle dig at Putin in 2003 during his state visit to the UK – the first by a Russian leader since the reign of Queen Victoria, when Alexander II visited in 1874. 

Under the Labour government of Tony Blair, then-Home Secretary David Blunkett’s guide dog reacted defensively at the presence of the Russian president. 

Mr Blunkett told the BBC : ‘The only time I met Vladimir Putin was back in 2003 on an official visit and my then dog barked very loudly.

‘I did apologise to the Queen who was obviously hosting. I don’t think I am giving anything away when I said, ‘Sorry your Majesty about the dog barking.’

She said: ‘Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?”

Putin – notorious for his lax punctuality – had kept the Queen waiting 14 minutes prior to their meeting. 

The Queen and Putin were to meet again in June 2014 during a D-Day commemoration event in France.

The event had come just months after Charles was alleged to have presciently compared Putin’s regime to that of Nazi Germany, which seemed to have soured relations considerably. 

After a group photo with world leaders, the Queen was helped down a set of steps by then US President Barack Obama (left of the Queen) and New Zealand’s Governor-General Jerry Mateparae (right of the Queen). But Putin (right), who was standing next to her and in a position to help merely  looked away

In Moscow, some have gathered to offer floral tributes to the Queen outside the British embassy despite the wave of anti-Western rhetoric

A mourner lights a candle and others have laid flowers to pay tribute to the Queen

After a group photo with world leaders, the Queen was helped down a set of steps by then US President Barack Obama and New Zealand’s Governor-General Jerry Mateparae.

But Putin, who was standing next to her and in a position to help looked away. 

But regardless of their leader’s antipathy to Her Majesty, ordinary Russians have been laying flowers in remembrance of the Queen outside the British embassy in Moscow.

In the pre-Putin, the Queen paid a visit to the Russian capital on the invitation of Boris Yeltsin in 1994 in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The visit passed off without controversy as both countries were keen to improve bilateral relations and points of contention had yet to fester.

When the Queen and Prince Phillip landed, they were then taken to the Kremlin where they were greeted by Yeltsin and his wife, Naina. 

The Royal pair were also treated to a special performance of the Bolshoi Ballet. 

The Queen came to the throne during the final days of the rule of Josef Stalin and saw 11 Russian and Soviet leaders come and go during her reign.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Pictured: A carriage carrying Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Russian President Vladimir Putin is escorted by royal guards to Buckingham Palace in central London, Britain, June 24, 2003

Meanwhile, a top Putin media chief has acted to block coverage of the Queen’s death on her Kremlin broadcasting network.

Margarita Simonyan, head of sanctioned RT, posted on her Telegram channel: ‘Enough Queen news already, team.

‘So she died. Well, RIP. We all die. This is not our pain.’

Putin’s favourite TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov used the sovereign’s death to deepen the Russian onslaught against new premier Liz Truss, while also claiming that Putin’s war was hastening the end of the old order symbolised by the late Queen.

‘Sadly one mystery finished tragically – Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland,’ he told viewers.

‘I think this is indeed an awful tragedy for Britain, because a page in history finished before our eyes.

‘The Queen who reigned from Churchill to Liz Truss – what level of Britain’s degradation is this…?’

A pundit on his show was heard saying Charles also represented a ‘degradation’.

Solovyov sent on: ‘As for Prince Charles let’s see what he will be like.

‘Either way this is the end of an epoch.

‘It’s interesting how with the start of the special military operation we suddenly see the foundations of the old world go.

‘The Queen, she seemed to be invincible.’

A main Channel 1 state TV news bulletin went on the same theme.

‘The first prime minister whom Elizabeth II confirmed in office was Winston Churchill and the last was Liz Truss, who has cast aspersions on her name,’ said a newsreader.

‘The new resident of Downing Street will probably yet be reminded of what she said in the past about it being time to do away with the monarchy.

‘But she will certainly not be the one who remains in Britons’ memory.’