Guests are arriving at Buckingham Palace for what is expected to be the reception of the century as they pay their respects ahead of the Queen’s funeral tomorrow.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have had US President Joe Biden, who arrived in a private car, and President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, enter the palace this evening for what will be one of the largest gathering of world leaders seen in recent years.
As President of Ireland Michael D Higgins was being taken off a coach with Juan Carlos and Sofia of Spain before they were met by the British royals, hundreds of dignitaries will be there, including Jacinda, New Zealand’s prime Minister, and Justin Trudeau of Canada.
Along with other senior British members of the royal family and ambassadors from nearly all countries, foreign royals, including Japan’s Emperor Naruhito as well as the Kings and Queens form Holland, Norway, Belgium.
After being granted a VIP time slot, many dignitaries are already viewing the Queen’s coffin inside the old heart of Parliament.
The Prime Minister Liz Truss and Government ministers including Jacob Rees-Mogg and James Cleverly were also spotted this evening heading towards tonight’s glittering state reception which will take place in the picture gallery and state apartments and feature drinks and canapes.
As they arrive at Buckingham Palace to receive a State Reception, the US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are greeted by Sir Tony Johnstone Burt (left).
President Emmanuel Macron (right) and his wife Brigitte (left) arrive for the glittering state reception which will take place in the picture gallery and state apartments and include drinks and canapes
The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins (on the left) was dropped from a coach alongside Juan Carlos (right), who is being supported and Sofia
This evening, Liz Truss, British Prime Minister and husband Hugh O’Leary arrive at Buckingham Palace
James Cleverly is Britain’s foreign secretary. He arrives in London at Buckingham Palace this evening.
On Sunday night, Emperor Naruhito from Japan arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of the “reception of century” hosted by Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles.
After the Royal Couple had paid respects at Westminster Hall, King Felipe of Spain bows his head and walks into Buckingham Palace with Queen Letizia.
As King Abdullah II, Jordanian Queen Rania and Queen Rania arrive at Buckingham Palace Sunday evening, royals representing all corners of the globe attend the’reception to the century’ hosted in Buckingham Palace by King Charles III & Queen Consort Camilla
The King of London asks guests to dress in lounge suits, morning dresses and not ball gowns or white tie.
Reports suggest that they were not invited to the state reception hosted by world leaders and foreign monarchs.
According to reports, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited by King Charles and Queen Consort earlier in the week.
The couple is now not likely to attend the event as Buckingham Palace officials insist that the reception is for working royals.
According to Daily Telegraph, confusion about Harry and Meghan’s invite points to communication issues between the California-based couple (and the Royal Family) according to The Daily Telegraph. The apparent U-turn in Harry’s rights to wear military uniform, despite him being an unworking royal, is the reason for this.
According to reports, Harry was allowed to don his regalia for a short vigil held at Westminster Hall yesterday. Harry previously stated that he would wear a suit for all funeral events.
London is hosting the largest ever security operation for the funeral of the only monarch the Britons are familiar with.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, says that tomorrow’s state funeral will present an unprecedented security problem. There are hundreds of thousands expected to throng central London, and 500 guests on the guest list.
Khan stated that it had been many decades since so many global leaders have been in the same place. “This is an unprecedented feat of juggling.”
He told The Associated Press that he was aware of potential threats to the lives and reputations of world leaders. “So, we’re working extremely hard, including the police and the security service, to ensure that this state funeral goes as smoothly as possible.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Stuart Cundy claimed that this ‘hugely difficult’ operation in policing is more than the London 2012 Olympics.
He stated that the London response would be fair and balanced. Officers will not take action unless absolutely necessary.
Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police stated that Rowley’s goal was to ensure safety and to be discreet as this event is solemn.
On Monday more than 10,000 officers of police will be present, and London officers will be joined by officers from the other 43 forces. Along the procesional route, hundreds of volunteers marshals will act as stewards.
They’re just one part of the security operation being managed from a sophisticated control center located near Lambeth Bridge.
Searches of garbage cans and street drains are underway. Police officers will have mounted and horse-mounted police, as well as sniffer dogs, police spotters, on roofs.
Drone flying over Central London was temporarily prohibited. Heathrow Airport has grounded scores of aircraft to ensure that the service is not disturbed by drone noise.
Charles smiled while he was being driven through Buckingham Palace.
Right, Queen Letizia from Spain pay her respects in Westminster Hall. Right: Emperor Naruhito departs Claridge’s Hotel
From front center, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren are: the Prince Of Wales, Peter Phillips and James. Also, James, Viscount Severn. Princess Eugenie. The Duke of Sussex. Princess Beatrice. Zara Tindall.
In the Buckingham Palace 1844 Room, King Charles III meets Prime Minister Liz Truss
It is up to the authorities to ensure that 500 leaders from around the world are safe and secure without raising too many diplomatic eyebrows. Presidency, Prime Ministers, and Royalty will meet offsite, before they are taken to the Abbey by bus. However, Mr Biden is making an exception, as he is likely to arrive in The Beast, his armored limousine.
A second challenge will be the size of crowds that are expected to gather at Westminster Abbey. The coffin will travel 20 miles by hearse to Windsor. There will also be 2,000 officers on duty.
Together with Prince Philip (who died in December at the age of 99), Queen Elizabeth will be buried at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel.
Joe Biden remembers his Queen. First Lady Jill and the US President pay respects to her Majesty at Westminster Hall. They sign a condolence book and say that monarch reminded them of their own mothers.
MAILONLINE – By MATTHEW LADGE and DAVID VERRE
US President Joe Biden has paid his respects to the late Queen at Westminster Hall today before recalling how the late monarch reminded him of his own mother.
The First Lady Jill and President Biden were seen looking out from a VIP balcony at the Queen’s coffin, which was under continuous guard and is draped with flags.
American President touched his heart to touch the monarch’s hand and then continued on down the hall.
Later, he went to Lancaster House and signed the condolence book. He told reporters that he will always remember the way the Queen treated all people with dignity and how she served her country for 70 years.
Biden’s visit came moments after French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were spotted making their way to the Palace of Westminster.
He is rarely seen outside his blue suit but was seen wearing a dark navy jacket and charcoal grey trousers with black sneakers alongside his wife.
They wore sunglasses while they were walking through London. Security guards and aides accompanied them.
Biden and Macron will pay their respects the monarch and then join King Charles, scores of world leaders, and other royals, for a Buckingham Palace reception, where the new king will be presented with a book featuring photos celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s visit to France.
Elizabeth’s corpse has been laid in state in Westminster Hall since Wednesday. Since then, people from all walks have filed past in an ongoing, emotional stream. Many are queuing up overnight.
American President touched his hand on the heart of the late monarch and seemed to offer a brief salute before proceeding through the hall.
The President and First Lady Jill of the United States (right) and Jane Hartley, US Ambassador (left), were seen looking out from a VIP balcony at Queen Elizabeth’s coffin. It is constantly under guard and covered in flags.
Later, the President traveled to Lancaster House and signed the Book of Condolences for Her Majesty. He told reporters how she reminded of his mother
Joe Biden (US President) and Jill Biden (First Lady), view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. She is seen lying in her state on the Westminster Hall catafalque, in the Palace of Westminster.
Biden, top left, is looking at the Queen’s coffin as the members of public pay respects from Westminster Hall.
After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, U.S. President Joe Biden travels to London with a presidential motorcade. London, Britain. September 18, 2022.
Emmanuel Macron (C-L), the French President, and Brigitte Macron (C-R), arrive at Westminster Hall, London, England, to pay their respects for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. After four days spent in Westminster Hall, the queen will be buried on September 19.
Macron is often seen without his signature blue suit. He was seen with his wife in an understated dark jacket, charcoal gray trousers, and trainers.
Wang Qishan, the Chinese Vice President (pictured middle), was part of the Chinese delegation that attended Westminster Hall today. Although President Xi Jinping had been invited, he has yet to make it.
On September 18th, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped Coffin is in the hands of Royal Guards. It was laid in state in Westminster Hall.
On the ground of Westminster Hall, the Palace of Westminster, the Queen’s coffin is placed on a dias. The coffin will stay in place till tomorrow morning when it will move to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral.
As they were being accompanied by security guards and aids, the Macrons were wearing sunglasses.
Mr Biden had pulled up to Westminster in his famed armoured limousine, a £1.3 million stretch Cadillac nicknamed ‘The Beast’, where he was met by large crowds of people who cheered his arrival and greeted by Black Rod Sarah Clarke.
Jane Hartley, the US Ambassador to the UK was also present and bows her head to Her Majesty.
He spoke later at Lancaster House of his affection for the monarch and said: “To all people in England, to all people in the United Kingdom, we are grateful to have known her.” [The Queen]We were all there for 70 years. She was a better person than we were all.
The Queen reminded him of his mother, he said. He also mentioned that she looked like her own mother. Do you have anything I could do? Which do you require?”.
He laughed and wiggled his finger, saying: “And also, make sure you do the right thing.”
Biden spoke glowingly about the Queen, saying she treated everyone with dignity and the world was fortunate to have her 70 year reign. This is him with Her Majesty, at Windsor Castle in June 2013.
While paying tribute to the monarch, the president was joined on the VIP balcony of Westminster Hall by his wife, as well as the US Ambassador.
After visiting Westminster Hall, First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden signed the Lancaster House condolence book.
Olena Zelenska was the First Lady from Ukraine and she paid her respects earlier today at Westminster Hall.
President Trump said that the Queen treats people with dignity, and added: “I speak about my mother, father. [they]Considered that all people, regardless of status or origin, deserve dignity.
“And that’s precisely what she did.” [Her Majesty]Communication was just as she did with her staff. What she conveyed to me was a sense, possibly more, of the idea of service.
“We all owe some thing, we have something that we can do. This will make the world a better place, better for our families, better for our workplaces.
“And that’s exactly what she conveyed to me. It was an honour to have her as my friend.”
The remarks were made ahead of the Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles II. VIPs expected to attend.
Those expected to be there include US President Joe Biden, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau, alongside European royalty and senior members of the British royal family,
After being granted a VIP timelot, most are scheduled to visit the Queen’s coffin.
Today’s Westminster Hall photos include Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine and President Emmanuel Macron from France.
The list also contains a number of strongmen such as Jair Bolsonaro (Brazilian President), who gave a powerful speech today from London’s Brazilian Embassy to cheering fans waving their national flag.
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has confirmed today that Mohammed Bin Salman, also known as MBS, was invited to attend.
He is set to hold talks with British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Sunday evening, but his presence at the Queen’s funeral tomorrow sparked outrage after Saudi agents brutally murdered and dismembered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018.
China also confirmed that it would send Wang Qishan (its vice-president) to the funeral. He was photographed at Westminster Hall tonight as part the Chinese delegation. However, some MPs complained that an invitation wasn’t extended to him.
The UK invited ambassadors to Iran, Nicaragua and North Korea to discuss strained ties. After Putin’s invasion in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were among the few nations that have been excluded.
Jair Bolsonaro from Brazil and Michelle Bolsonaro are two of the leaders who paid their respects to Westminster Hall.
Yesterday, President Joe Biden was accompanied by Jill Biden, the first lady. They were seen above being taken off of a plane at London Stansted Airport.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia’s attendance at Queen’s Funeral Tomorrow has caused outrage due to his country’s poor record in human rights.
The President of Armenia copped flak earlier today for disrespecting the Queen as he took photos and chatted to aides during a visit to see her lying-in-state in Westminster Hall.
Vahagn Khchaturyan (an ally of the warmongering Russian President Vladimir Putin) was seen kneeling at the coffin of the monarch while one of his lackies captured some photos on his cell phone.
Witnesses claimed, however that the Armenian leader was yelling at his entourage loudly as they made their way along the VIP walkway down to the ground where Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lies.
He acted in spite of the strict 1,000-year-old rules of the chamber, which prohibit the recording of photographs or videos and require quiet, respectful behavior.
Armenian President Vahagn Khchaturyan, photographed by one of his attendants as he stood at the foot the Queen’s coffin
As Queen Elizabeth II lies in state inside Westminster Hall in London, on September 18th 2022, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is passed by members of the public.
Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of Armenia (left), is seen hugging Vladimir Putin, President of Russia in June. Some bystanders criticized his behavior today at Westminster Hall.
Khachaturyan was seen, in June 2018, sharing warm embraces with Putin at an economic conference in Russia. This happened despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
One attendee at Westminster Hall told The Sun: ‘There were hundreds of people in that hall – no one was speaking. Only him. Yap, yap, yap, yap. It was clear that he wanted to take his picture.
He and his aide keep their distance as the coffin is passed by the group behind. He knew the rules, and would have been informed before he entered.
Another angry source said: ‘Everyone has managed to follow those rules to the very letter – apart from this one individual.’
Although Khachaturyan is a loyal ally of Russia despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine it’s not clear if he will be there with other leaders from around the world at tomorrow’s Queen’s funeral.
As hundreds of thousands wait in line to meet Her Majesty, they are given VIP times slots.
Many people had waited patiently since Wednesday as they waited to pay respects. The queue snaked through central London for over four miles, passing many landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, London Eye, and Tate Modern.
As they try to move the coffin of the Queen in the funeral procession tomorrow to Westminster Abbey tomorrow, officials will prevent more people from joining them.
MBS will NOT attend the Queen’s Funeral. Due to UK protests, Saudi Arabia’s Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been rescinded from his appointment to join other leaders around the world.
HANNAH McDONALD, MAILONLINE AUTHOR
Due to backlash over his recent visit to the UK, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman will not attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral Monday.
A British source told Sunday that Prince Turki bin Mohammed al Saud would represent Saudi Arabia in his place.
According to Reuters reports, the source stated that Saudi Arabia made this change.
After Human Rights organizations had criticised the invitation of the Crown Prince, who is accused by Western intelligences of ordering Jamal Khashoggi’s murder to attend the funeral, this decision was taken.
Hatice Cengiz was also the fiancée of Mr Khashoggi and had condemned the invitation.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed b. Salman won’t be attending Queen Elizabeth’s funeral Monday contrary to Britain’s expectations.
She said his presence at Her Majesty’s state funeral would ‘stain her memory’ – a sentiment echoed by activists who say allowing Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, known as MBS, to attend is trying to ‘whitewash’ his human rights record.
According to a classified CIA report, the Prince allegedly ‘approved’ Mr Khashoggi’s murder and dismemberment at Istanbul’s Saudi Consulate in 2018. He denied the allegations and stated recently that the journalist wouldn’t be one of his top 1,000 targets to murder, “if that’s how we do things”.
MBS is one of the more than 500 foreign dignitaries and heads of state invited to mourn Queen Elizabeth II during the service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. A cast of controversial statesmen were invited to the affair including Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
MBS is currently in London, according to Saudi Arabia’s Royal Embassy.
Human Rights groups had criticised Human Rights groups’ decision to invite Crown Prince (who has been accused in Western intelligence of ordering Jamal Khashoggi’s killing) to the funeral
Around 2,000 people, including VIPS from around the world, are expected to attend Monday’s Queen’s Service. Analysts predict that 2 million people will attend the capital to see the televised service. The funeral is likely to be seen by approximately 4.1 billion viewers.
Ms. Cengiz was critical of the Saudi monarch’s invitation for the funeral. She said that the ruler used the time of mourning in order to “seek legitimacy” and normalisation.
‘The Queen’s passing is a truly sad occasion,’ she told The Guardian. “The Crown Prince should not be allowed in the mourning. He shouldn’t use her time to mourn and seek legitimacy.
Advocate groups from across the UK echoed her claims, claiming that Her Majesty’s death does not mean it is time for “authoritarian dictators” to try to’rehabilitate their image.
Sayed Alwadaei from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said, “The UK simply shouldn’t be welcoming dictators hailing states that are renowned for their atrocious records in human rights,”
‘Although the leaders of Russia and Syria have rightly not received invitations to attend the Queen’s funeral, it sends a clear double standard to then welcome notorious Gulf despots such as King Hamad and Mohammed bin Salman, who continue to preside over appalling violations against those who dare to speak out in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.’
Hatice Cengiz (right), who criticised the invitation of the Saudi ruler to attend the funeral, claimed that he was using the time to mourn to “seek legitimacy” and normalization. Jamal Khashoggi is her partner (left).
A British source claimed that Prince Turki bin Mohammed al Saud would instead represent Saudi Arabia.
Activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, the UK-based director of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, reiterated his colleagues claims, saying: ‘Authoritarian dictators should not use the Queen’s death as an opportunity to try to rehabilitate their image while they escalate repressive campaigns in their countries.’
Similarly, UK-based Campaign Against the Arms Trade slammed Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies for ‘using the Queen’s funeral as a way to – in their words – “whitewash” their human rights records,’ BBC reported.
CNN Arabic published a report this week claiming that MBS will not attend the funeral. He cited MBS’s ‘fragile self’ for likely being a factor in his decision.
Washington-based Saudi dissident Abdullah Alaoudh told TV that MBS would sit ‘behind other powerful figures at the event’, which would, according to him, bother him.
Mr Alaoudh stated that MBS wants to be fully acknowledged of his power and existence. He cares deeply about the symbols, and doesn’t want to be embarrassed.
As per protocol, the world’s highest ranking dignitaries were asked to take shuttle buses from Washington to Westminster Abbey.
Only exception is the US President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill. They will likely be able take the armoured Beast with them to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
According to some reports, embassies tried unsuccessfully to ask for exceptions from the Foreign Office guidelines.
MBS is among the over 500 heads and dignitaries invited by foreign dignitaries to remember Queen Elizabeth II.
Around 2,000 people will attend Monday’s Queen’s Service, which includes world leaders and VIPS as well members of royal families. As the Queen’s coffin lies in state at Westminster Abbey, Sunday, members of the general public can be seen walking by it.
According to reports, the leaders of Russia and Belarus were not invited to the Queen’s funeral. However, a few controversial people such as Erdogan and Bolsonaro will be attending the service in London.
Although Chinese President Xi Jinping had been invited, he is unlikely to be there. He instead sent Vice President Wang Qishan to attend on his behalf, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Wall Street Journal on Saturday.
Several British legislators wrote a letter asking the House of Commons to cancel the invitation to President Xi. China’s treatment of Uyghur, a large Muslim community, was another point they strongly criticised.
India’s Prime minister Narendra Modi declined to accept his invitation. India will instead by represented by President Droupadi Murmu, according to The Guardian.
On the morning of Queen Elizabeth’s death, PM Modi delivered a speech in which she urged India to end its colonial ties. This was during an event to name a street that had been named after George V.
However, the leader called Liz Truss, UK Prime Minister of UK two days following Her Majesty’s passing to offer his condolences.
From front center, the Queen’s grand-children (clockwise) Britain’s Prince William and Prince of Wales, Peter Phillips and James, James, Viscount Severn and Britain’s Princess Eugenie of York, Britain’s Prince Harry and Duke of Sussex, Britain’s Princess Beatrice of York and Britain’s Lady Louise Windsor hold a vigil about the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. Zara Tindall and Zara Tindall are draped in the Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb and the Sovereign’s s orb and the Crown, and the Sovereign’s s, and the sovereign’s s, and the Sovereign’s s orb and the Sovereign’s s.
It is anticipated that 4.1 billion people will watch the funeral and 2 million more will be there to witness it live. Analysts also predict the death of He Majesty’s coffin, which has been draped in the Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown. He Majesty’s coffin, draped in the Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown, is pictured Lying in State inside Westminster Hall on Sunday
The Queens Walk is a line of people dressed in blankets that wait to be honored by Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall.
The close friend of Her Majesty, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the billionaire ruler in Dubai), has yet to confirm whether he will be attending.
After the High Court found him responsible for hacking his wife’s mobile phone in illegal UK, Her Majesty felt pressured to leave him.
Senior judges concluded that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the horse-racing friend and prime minister in the United Arab Emirates. This was a case of ‘total abuse and power abuse’.
According to the court, he was also involved in the 2000 kidnapping of Princess Shamsa, his daughter from Cambridgeshire. Also, he allegedly kidnapped Princess Latifa from her when she tried to run.
MailOnline was informed last week by Tiina Jauhiainen, Princess Latif’s friend and best friend. She said that Buckingham Palace and Britain must ignore the ruler of Dubai along with the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.
She replied, “It’s not right for someone with his record to be invited to Queen’s funeral.”
“I hope that we will not be seeing MBS.” [what the Crown Prince is colloquially known as] either.’