Saudi authorities have arrested a Yemeni national who claimed to have travelled to the Muslim holy city of Mecca to perform an umrah pilgrimage on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The man published a video clip of himself on social media at the Grand Mosque in Mecca holding up a banner saying: “Umrah for the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among the righteous.”

The footage was widely circulated on Saudi social media, with Twitter users calling for the man’s arrest.

Saudi Arabia forbids pilgrims to Mecca from carrying banners or chanting slogans.

Apparently performing umrah on behalf on deceased non-Muslims like the queen, who was supreme head of the Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican communion.

Saudi state media reported a statement stating: ‘’Security forces at the Grand Mosque “arrested a resident of Yemeni nationality who appeared in a video clip carrying a banner inside the Grand Mosque, violating the regulations and instructions for umrah.”

“He was arrested, legal measures were taken against him and he was referred to the public prosecution.”

State television broadcast segments about the incident that included the controversial video clip, but with the banner blurred.

The umrah is a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time — distinct from the hajj, which takes place once annually and usually draws millions from around the globe.

The queen died on September 9 with her funeral scheduled for September 19.