Joe Biden arrives in London for Queen’s funeral
US President Joe Biden has arrived in London ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
Biden is among some 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries coming to London for a gathering of world leaders not seen for decades.
The prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are already in the UK.
As well as Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, other Commonwealth leaders expected to attend include Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. India will be represented by President Droupadi Murmu.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella are among the other world leaders expected to attend.
Members of royal families from across Europe will also be present.
Many of the guests are expected to pay their respects to the Queen at her lying-in-state in Westminster Hall and sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House.
But the focus will be a formal state reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Sunday.
For many leaders, it will be their only chance to meet collectively and engage in some diplomacy.
Some of the guests invited to attend the funeral have, however, raised eyebrows.
Agencies