American President Joe Biden has touched down in London alongside his wife Jill as foreign dignitaries descend on the capital ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Following their Saturday morning flight from Washington DC, President Obama and the First Lady arrived on board Air Force One at Stansted Airport.
As they touched down just before 10pm, the couple seemed to be happy and in good spirits. They walked together down the flight steps before being welcomed by Jane Hartley, US Ambassador to the UK, as well Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
Tomorrow, the US President will pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II and sign her condolence books. He then attends a reception hosted at King Charles III.
The President and Mrs. Bush were seen arriving at Stansted Airport in an armoured presidential vehicle, dubbed “The Beast”.
The President and First Lady were spotted leaving the US just hours after Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were also seen taking a first class flight into London.
In order to travel to the Queen’s funeral, on Monday, the Emperor and Empress will exchange their lavish digs in favor of a shuttle bus. The Bidens have, it is believed, been allowed to ride in “The Beast” while they are in Washington.
There was originally a plan for Mr Biden to have talks with Liz Truss the UK’s Prime Minister. However, it is now clear that they will not meet officially prior to Her Majesty’s Funeral.
Downing Street announced that instead of a full bilateral meeting, a full bilateral’ will take place at UN General Assembly. On Saturday, the Prime Minister will call Mohammed bin Salman (the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia), to discuss matters.
Justin Trudeau from Canada, Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, and Gaston Browne the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda are just a few of the leaders that have arrived already in London to sign condolences books for the royal family.
Mr Albanese said in a statement to Twitter afterwards: ‘Today Jodie and I signed the condolence book at Lancaster House. We’re grateful that we can be there to honor the Queen in these times of deep grief.
Before she is laid to rest Monday morning, the entire world will celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II at the’receptions of the century’.
American President Joe Biden has touched down in London alongside his wife Jill ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday
Jill and the President arrived at Stansted Saturday night. They will be visiting the Queen’s coffin tomorrow.
After arriving in the UK, the Bidens were in good spirits when they made their way down the asphalt.
As the president travels to London, the Air Force One plane was seen at Stansted Airport tonight.
As the President and First Lady stepped out of the aircraft at Stansted Airport, a small group greeted them, including Jane Hartley (US ambassador to the UK) and Jennifer Tolhurst (Lord Lieutenant of Essex).
The President and Mrs. Obama were seen getting out of Stansted Airport in “The Beast”, the armored presidential vehicle.
On board Air Force One, President Barack Obama flew the couple to London. He was the thirteenth president to have a meeting with the Queen.
US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and the Marine One were boarded from the White House by Jill Biden on Saturday. They then arrived in London to say goodbye to the Queen.
Jill Biden and Joe Biden were wearing matching navy jackets, with their names embossed on each breast, as they boarded an aircraft Saturday to celebrate the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Anniversary. Although Mr Biden had been scheduled to meet with Liz Truss (the new UK Prime Minister), it was later confirmed that the two will not be meeting in any official capacity before Her Majesty’s funeral.
This evening, the duo arrived in London ahead of Sunday’s state reception and Monday’s funeral
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophe Trudeau (left), along with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London
On Saturday afternoon, King Charles III and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada shake hands.
He is currently meeting with the realm prime ministers. They are there to offer condolences, pay respects, and best wishes him for his formal proceedings that begin on Sunday and Monday.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and a first-class luxury flight to London have taken off this morning.
Lancaster House also hosted Dame Froyla, the Governor-General for Belize. She paid her respects
On Saturday, King Charles III met also with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured).
Before tomorrow’s official reception of 500 people and Her Majesty’s funeral on Monday, the men met at Buckingham Palace for a conversation.
The journey of the emperor and the empress to Britain together – the first since his accession to the throne on the 1st of January 2019 – was considered a gesture in respect. It highlights the strong bonds between the royal families under Her Majesty’s reign.
Because of a deeply-rooted cultural belief that death is impure, the Japanese emperor has never attended any funeral other than those of their own parents.
Because of a deeply-rooted cultural belief, the Japanese emperors would refrain from attending funerals for anyone other than their parents.
His visit to Britain with the Empress – which was his first since ascending the throne at 2019’s dawn – is considered a symbol of respect. This also highlights the strong bonds between their royal families over the course of Her Majesty’s reign.
The Government leaked documents showed that world leaders planned to travel in large numbers by bus from London to Westminster Abbey to attend Monday’s service.
Since then, the US and British officials have downplayed the possibility of President Biden traveling on a bus to central London. Expect Emperor Naruhito to travel on the shuttle to the funeral.
Politico reported that the Foreign Office has instructed the busing of the 62-year old royal and the other visiting monarchs to the service.
According to the website, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde from Spain, King Felipe of Spain and Queen Letizia from Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia from Sweden, and King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands would be taken on a shuttle bus.
According to some reports, embassies made unsuccessful attempts to seek exceptions to Foreign Office guidance. We don’t know if there is a Japanese embassy.
Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has arrived in London and signed the Book of Condolences.
After visiting Green Park in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the Australian PM and his Australian partner signed the book.
David Hurley, Governor General of Australia, and Linda Hurley are at Lancaster House for the signing of the Book of Condolences
On behalf of his country, Sir Bob Dadae will be attending the Queen’s Funeral.
The couple, who have made a lavish trip to the UK with their families, are likely to travel to London on a bus to attend the funeral.
Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Emperor Naruhito wave to special flight with Empress Masako
Since safety fears are high, some embassies filed an urgent request to modify the transport plans of their representative.
The spokesperson at Number 10, however, refused to speak on behalf of individual dignitaries and said they’d differ depending upon the needs of different leaders.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime Minister was among the first to visit London Friday morning while Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh arrived on Thursday afternoon.
Anthony Albanese (Australian prime minister) arrived with 10 “everyday” guests. These people are able to make ‘extraordinary contributions’ in their local communities.
To lay a wreath in London’s Green Park, where he was among thousands of blooms that have been built throughout London since the death of his mother on September 8, 2008, he arrived at the park early Sunday morning.
As he took a photograph at Green Park with Jodie Haydon, Mr Albanese stated that he was ‘paying our respects’ to His Majesty. She is now at peace.
Inside the Japanese government’s new plush Boeing: An onboard conference room for government officials and aides to Imperial Family members
It has workspaces and chairs that can be used by senior government officials as well as aides to Imperial Family family members during flight.
Members of the general public walk past Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, which is draped with the Royal Standard, the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb and Sceptre. The queen lies in state at Westminster Hall.
Later on Saturday, he met with Prime Minister Truss, who has also held talks with New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern and UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Biden felicitated Liz Truss for becoming Prime Minister in September 6.
Truss, he said, looked forward to strengthening the “special relationship” between the US and UK.
“Congratulations to Liz Truss, Prime Minister.” Biden posted on Twitter that he hoped to strengthen the relationship between these countries, and work in close collaboration on global problems, such as continuing support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
Truss seems to have a less strong view of the US”special relationship,’ than her predecessors. It has been called’special’, but it is not exclusive in the past.
Biden has met Truss before. In her capacity as foreign secretary, she accompanied Boris Johnson, then Prime Minister, on his September visit to the White House.
Biden spoke with her at last October’s COP26 conference in Scotland.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese also revealed on Sunday that he’d arrived and went straight to London’s Green Park early on Sunday to lay a wreath among the thousands of bouquets (pictured with his partner, Jodie Haydon)
President Biden will have the opportunity to accompany First Lady Jill on the armored Beast to her funeral, while the other world leaders will take the shared bus. This is the standard protocol.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh arrived at London Stansted Airport.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials sent 1000 handwritten invitations to nearly every head of state, barring Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan.
Mr Biden will arrive this evening and French president Emmanuel Macron, German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italian president Sergio Matarella are among other notable attendees.
To avoid Heathrow disruption, Air Force One is the US’s presidential plane. It lands at Stansted Airport.
The president is unlikely to be aboard the shuttle bus along with other dignitaries. Instead, the president will travel to Washington via “The Beast” while he’s there.
Cadillac’s custom-built doors are eight inches thick, have run-flat tires and bulletproof glass. It also has its own oxygen supply. The president can get a few pints of blood.
The estimated weight of the sandbag is between 7 and 9 tonnes.
Biden’s motorcade The Beast crossed a bridge as he traveled to his meeting with Putin in Geneva. As the leader of the Free World arrives in London for Queen’s Funeral, it is expected that the Beast will be seen there.
Before Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral preparations begin, Floral Tributes for Queen Elizabeth II are made at Green Park near Buckingham Palace.
As they await the Queen’s laying-in-state, mourners form a huge queue at Tower Bridge.
Waiting to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II, Mourners waited at Tower Bridge in central London as they waited.
A number of hundred foreign dignitaries will travel to London for the occasion, which is expected to become one the most important logistical events and diplomatic activities in the UK since decades.
Westminster Abbey’s official capacity is 2200, but it will likely be filled. You can view the live service via television streaming.
No 10, however, declined to call the meetings with allies formal bilateral talks and instead described them as casual chats in which condolences were offered over Queen Elizabeth’s passing. Politics is most likely to be discussed during these conversations.
Official spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that there would not be formal bilaterals as we are used to recognising them.
“But, we will have significant numbers of world leaders and heads of state here in the country. She will only meet a few of these people over the weekend.
“These will be occasions to discuss her Majesty’s memories, and in some cases it will be the first occasion they have met since she was Prime Minister.
The royal family, current and former prime ministers of the UK and important figures from public life will all be present at Westminster Abbey, which holds approximately 2,000 people at 11 am on Monday.
The funeral is for male dignitaries. They will need to dress in a morning or evening gown, and wear a dark tie with slacks. Female mourners should be dressed in dark dresses and dark hats.
While national dress is acceptable, serving military personnel can also wear it. However, ceremonial uniforms with no swords are allowed.
After a night at The Mall’s makeshift camping site, people wake up to find that temperatures have plummeted.