President Joe Biden and Others Headed to London for Queen Elizabeth’s State Funeral
President Joe Biden, European royalty and Commonwealth leaders are among the 500 foreign dignitaries expected to gather for the state funeral in London on Monday.
Leaders and heads of state from across the globe will come together in central London on Monday to attend the state funeral of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Around 500 foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the service at Westminster Abbey, including President Joe Biden, kings and queens from across Europe, and leaders of Commonwealth nations.
The queen is lying in state at the Palace of Westminster to allow members of the public to pay their respects. On Monday morning, her coffin will be moved to the church for the state funeral service, which is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. ET.
A police official declined to detail how the leaders would travel to Westminster Abbey on Monday, citing security reasons. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy added in a media briefing Friday that London’s Metropolitan Police is engaged in its largest policing operation ever.
The White House confirmed that Biden will attend the funeral and will be accompanied by first lady Jill Biden.
Members of royal families across Europe have confirmed that they are attending, including Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and the previous Spanish king and queen, Juan Carlos and Sofia. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and her heir, Crown Prince Frederik, will also be attending.
Royal households from Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium have all confirmed that they will be traveling to London for the funeral, according to Reuters. Monarchs attending from outside Europe include Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Among the national leaders in Europe who have confirmed their attendance is French President Emmanuel Macron. On Thursday, he wrote in a tweet that the link between France and the United Kingdom is “unbreakable.”
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