Daily Mail Reports That Vahagn Khachaturyan Laughed and Joked Near Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin

The President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, has faced criticism in the British press for showing disrespectful behavior towards Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the Daily Mail, he was photographed chatting with aides during a visit to Westminster Hall, where the queen's body lay in state. The report states that Khachaturyan bowed in front of the deceased monarch's coffin, but while warned against taking photos, he was captured with a mobile phone. The photographer was identified as Varuzhan Nersisyan, Armenia's ambassador to the UK.

Witnesses have asserted that the Armenian leader was laughing and joking aloud in Westminster Hall. The source indicates that Khachaturyan's actions contradict the palace's strict guidelines, which prohibit taking photos or videos in the hall where the queen's body is displayed and require respectful behavior.

It remains unclear whether Khachaturyan will attend the queen's funeral on Monday evening.