President Biden and first girl Jill Biden arrived Monday to pay their closing respects to late UK monarch Queen Elizabeth II — after getting caught en route in standstill visitors.
The presidential limousine, nicknamed “The Beast,” pulled up in entrance of the Thirteenth-century Westminster Abbey, and the 79-year-old president and his 71-year-old spouse exited and headed towards the doorway.
The armored limousine had earlier come to a grinding halt exterior a espresso store in central London.
Get the newest on Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral with The Put up’s stay protection
The primary girl wore a black knee-length skirt, which she paired with a blazer, and accessorized her look with an identical fascinator. Biden wore a traditional black swimsuit.
The president and Dr. Biden entered the funeral service venue holding arms and had been conveyed to their seats 14 rows again on the south transept. The commander-in-chief was seated behind Polish President Andrzej Duda and in entrance of the Czech Republic’s chief.
In the meantime, the primary girl settled subsequent to Switzerland’s consultant.
They had been amongst lots of of world leaders and dignitaries as a result of fully fill Westminster Abbey for the funeral for the longest-serving monarch, who died Sept. 8 on the age of 96.
Regardless of the long-cherished particular relationship between the 2 nations, the UK’s official invitation to the US “was for the president and the primary girl solely,” in accordance with White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
That left no room for the Bidens to increase an invite to any of the earlier presidents, all of whom met the Queen whereas they had been in workplace.
The president and first girl arrived in London on Saturday, paying their respects the subsequent day by stopping by Westminster Corridor, skipping traces that lasted as much as 24 hours for individuals ready to see the Queen’s coffin.
Biden made the signal of the cross when he arrived and positioned his hand on his coronary heart whereas paying his respects. Each additionally signed the official condolence guide for the Queen in Lancaster Home on Sunday.
He later mentioned that the Queen had stood out from the “terrible lot of consequential individuals” he had met, saying, “She was the identical in individual as her picture. First rate, honorable and all about service.”
Observe The New York Put up’s protection of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral:
- Prince Andrew banned from carrying army uniform to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
- Prince Harry, Meghan Markle relegated to second row at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
- Spider noticed crawling on prime of Queen Elizabeth’s casket at funeral
The Bidens’ look heightened safety issues for what's more likely to be one of many biggest-ever gatherings of world leaders and royalty on British soil.
Their invite reportedly additionally sparked anger amongst different dignitaries compelled to park and journey a bus to the service — whereas Biden was granted permission to make use of his armored Cadillac.
The Queen’s state funeral is ready to begin at 11 a.m. native time — 6 a.m. ET — at Westminster Abbey, the place she married Prince Philip in 1947 and had her official coronation in 1953.
Close to the top of the hour-long service, carried out by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, a two-minute silence will probably be noticed throughout the UK.
The nationwide anthem will carry the funeral to an in depth at midday within the UK, which is 7 a.m. in New York.
From there, her coffin will probably be taken on one final tour of London, getting gunfire salutes as it's pushed within the state hearse to Windsor for a committal service at St. George’s Chapel close to Windsor Citadel.
Members of the royal household will then maintain a non-public burial service on the King George VI Memorial Chapel, the place the Queen will probably be interred.
The stays of her late husband, Philip, will then be moved to lie alongside his spouse of 73 years.
The Duke of Edinburgh was privately interred within the Royal Vault of St. George’s Chapel after his demise on April 9, 2021. He was 99.
Biden earlier spoke to the brand new King Charles III and “conveyed his want to proceed an in depth relationship with the King,” the White Home mentioned.
He additionally “recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality,” and “conveyed the good admiration of the American individuals for the Queen, whose dignity and fidelity deepened the enduring friendship and particular relationship between the US and the UK,” the White Home mentioned final Wednesday.
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