Biden Arrives in London to Attend a Funeral; The Queen’s Grandchildren Are Present at The Coffin

The president was expected to sign the official condolence books and attend a Sunday reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III, before attending the queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Biden is one of many world leaders who are visiting the United Kingdom in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s long reign. The U.K. greeted Biden and Jill Biden at the airport. Ambassador Jane Hartley and Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst were among the others.

Biden issued a proclamation after the death of the queen directing that all American flags should be flown at half-staff “as a sign of respect for Queen Elizabeth II’s memory” until sunset on her day of interment. He spoke to the King to express his condolences before he went to London.

The Queen’s Grandchildren stand by the coffin to watch

The eight grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II stood silently beside her coffin on Saturday morning.

Prince Harry and William, the sons of King Charles III, were joined by Prince Harry’s children, Zara and Peter Philips, Princess Anne’s daughters; Princess Beatrice’s and Princess Eugenie’s daughters; Prince Andrew’s children, Prince Andrew; and the two children Prince Edward – Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn.

William, now the heir of the throne stood with his head bow at the coffin’s head and Harry at its foot. Both princes are veterans of the military and were dressed in uniform. Harry was wearing civilian clothes when he carried the queen’s coffin to Buckingham Palace. However, the king asked that his sons also wear their military uniforms for the vigil.

Prior to the vigil, Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie released a statement extolling their “beloved grandmother”.

“We thought that you would be here forever, just like many. We all miss you so much. We will miss you as our matriarch, guide, and loving hand that held us up through this life. We will always remember the lessons you taught us and cherish them forever,” the sisters wrote.

Global leaders mobilized Saturday to attend the Queen’s funeral scheduled for Monday.

Japanese Empress Masako and Emperor Naruhito, the Empress of Japan, left Saturday for Britain on their first visit as Empress and Emperor to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. The British royal family has been a model for Japan’s modern monarchy.

The importance of the close relationship between royal families is exemplified by the decision of the empress and emperor to attend the queen’s funeral. A Japanese emperor has traditionally avoided attending funerals, except those of their parents. This is due to a cultural belief that the Shinto religion considers death impure.

China announced Saturday that Vice President Wang Qishan, President Xi Jinping’s special representative, would attend the funeral.

A group of British lawmakers sanctioned in China expressed concern at the invitation to the funeral by the Chinese government. One of them told BBC that the invitation should be withdrawn due to human rights violations in China’s treatment of Uyghur ethnic groups in China’s far west region of Xinjiang.