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The Edinburghs

Countess of Wessex to attend State funeral of the late President of Zambia

<![CDATA[The Countess of Wessex will be in Zambia from the 10th November to 11th November 2014 representing Her Majesty The Queen at the funeral of the former President of Zambia, Michael Sata.
According to a statement made by the British High Commission in Lusaka, The Countess of Wessex will be acting in support of The Queen and of Prince Philip. British High Commissioner in Lusaka, James Thornton, has expressed his delight that a leading member of The Royal Family will be in attendance at Mr Sata's funeral.
It wont just be the Countess representing Britain at the funeral in Lusaka. Lord Popat of Harrow, who is currently a Government Whip and Lord in Waiting for the House of Lords, will also be paying his respects to Michael Sata on behalf of the British Government. Lord Popat is also the government's spokesperson in the House of Lords on business skills, innovation and the transport department. Mr Popat represented The Queen at the send off for Michael Sata at the Royal Suite in Heathrow Airport on October 31st.
Michael Sata was a Zambian politician who was President of Zambia from September 2011 until his death on 28th October 2014. As a Social Democrat he led the Patriotic Front, which is a major political party in Zambia. After growing up on Mpika, Northern Province, Sata's career saw him work as a police officer, railway man and a trade unionist during colonial rule, before entering into politics. He died in London where he was receiving medical treatment.
The Countess of Wessex will spend only two days in Lusaka, returning to Britain on Wednesday 12 November shortly before she attends the Sewl Celebration at Buckingham Palace in her role as President of Girlguiding.
Featured Photo Credit: first direct via photopin cc]]>