LONDON — U.S. President Joe Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “decent” and “honorable” when he signed his condolence book on Sunday, saying his heart goes out to the royal family. .
The President and First Lady are in London to pay their respects to the Queen lying in Westminster Hall.
Mr. Biden sat at a simple table covered in blue with a framed photo of the Queen and a bouquet of white flowers, and scribbled notes in a book before speaking briefly.
He said the Queen treated people with dignity.
Jill Biden signed a book dedicated to spouses and ambassadors at a similar table in another room at Lancaster House.
“Queen Elizabeth lived her life for the people,” wrote Jill Biden. “She served with her wisdom and grace. I will never forget her warmth, kindness and the conversations we shared.”
The president and first lady are among hundreds of world leaders in London for the Queen’s funeral on Monday. Long queues were waiting to pay tribute to the longest reigning monarch.
Main development:
— Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is a major security challenge
— World leaders head to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
— Even if the times change, the king’s recumbent ceremony continues
— Queen paved the way for the transition to late Charles
— Chinese factory mass-produces British flag after Queen’s death
— Learn more about AP coverage here
Other developments:
LONDON—U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Biden visited Westminster Hall in London, where the Queen is enshrined. He made the cross on Sunday and put his hand to his heart as he stood quietly near the coffin. The Bidens were joined by U.S. Ambassador Jane Hartley.
Biden was also scheduled to sign an official eulogy, attend a reception hosted by Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Sunday, and attend a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday. He is one of hundreds of world leaders to pay tribute to the Queen, who died on September 8 at the age of 96 after reigning for 70 years on the throne.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined up and waited for hours to pass in front of the Queen’s coffin.
WINDSOR, England — On Sunday, the day before Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, thousands of people made their way to Windsor Castle to lay flowers at the gates of her final resting place.
Many feared Monday’s crowds would prevent them from paying their final respects at the palace gates, where the bouquets were piled up.
Before the Queen was buried in St George’s Chapel, police officers dotted the route along the Long Walk, a 3-mile (5 km) thoroughfare where a walking procession took place.
Mourners were subject to security checks before entering the premises. More are expected after the nationwide silence at 8 p.m. Sunday.Mourners were told not to bring tents or pavilions, bringing only chairs and blankets Stalls open along the road selling food and snacks.
Steve Beeson came as a family of three and was following the organizers’ strict rules to remove the vinyl from the bouquet for the Queen.
The Queen was “the only head of state we’ve ever known,” he said. “She has always stabilized the reign of the country through all these very difficult times. The least we can do is come and say ‘thank you’.”
LONDON — Prince Andrew paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, saying he will forever hold “the love, care, care and confidence he has for his son”.
Addressing the late King as “Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty,” Andrew said, “It was an honor and a privilege to serve you.”
“I have found your knowledge and wisdom to be limitless,” said Andrew, 62, adding, “I will miss your insight, advice and humor.”
Andrew, the third of the Queen’s four children, was released from royal duties and stripped of his military honorary titles because of his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last year, he reached a multi-million dollar settlement with a woman who claimed he was trafficked by Epstein and filed a US lawsuit alleging the prince was sexually assaulted when he was 17. Andrew denies the allegations. is doing.
LONDON — London transport officials say they are gearing up for about a million people to visit the British capital for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday.
Transport for London chief Andy Byford said on Sunday the capital had seen a “huge number of additional passengers” since the Queen died on 8 September. We’re going to reach high tide,” he said.
About 250 special trains, including sleeper trains, are in operation nationwide. Network Rail chairman Peter Hendy said Monday would see “the largest public transport run since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
More than 100 Heathrow flights will be canceled to prevent aircraft noise disrupting Monday morning’s funeral at Westminster Abbey and the Queen’s devotional service at Windsor Castle afterwards.
West London Airport said 15% of the 1,200 flights scheduled to take off or land on Monday will be disrupted.
LONDON — The wife of Charles III pays tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II and her strength as a woman in a world ruled by male leaders for much of the Queen’s 70-year reign. represents.
In a video message broadcast Sunday night, Queen Camilla said:
“There was never a female prime minister or president.
The late Queen, who died on September 8 at the age of 96, said on the eve of her platinum jubilee earlier this year that it was the “heartfelt wish” of Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, after years of debate over Camilla’s title. I put an end to it. She is known as Queen Consort when her eldest son becomes king.
Reflecting on her time with the Queen personally, Camilla said:
LONDON — London police have announced that they have charged a man accused of ramming Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin as it lay in the Houses of Parliament for public order.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that Muhammad Khan, 28, from east London, has been charged with conduct intended to “cause alarm, harassment or distress”.
Tracy Holland told Sky News her 7-year-old niece was disturbed by a man who tried to “run up to the coffin, lift the standard, and I don’t know what I was going to do.” She said police detained the man in “two seconds.”
Khan is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Monday, when the Queen’s state funeral will be held.
