LONDON (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin on Sunday, also at the largest gathering of world leaders in years.
People across Britain observed a minute’s silence at 8pm in memory of the only monarch ever known. In her hall of Westminster, where the Queen lies, a constant stream of mourners paused for her 60 seconds as people observed moments of reflection in deep silence.
After her funeral at Westminster Abbey, rain began to fall in Windsor, where the Queen is to be buried on Monday, as the crowd fell silent for a moment of meditation. .
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were among the thousands of mourners, from locals and tourists to royalty and world leaders. The president stood quietly near the coffin in the ornate 900-year-old hall with his wife and U.S. Ambassador Jane Hartley, crossed his hands, and put his hand to his heart.
Biden then signed an official eulogy and attended a reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Sunday. He is one of 500 world leaders and royals invited to Monday’s state funeral, along with hundreds of dignitaries, politicians, veterans and British philanthropists.
Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “polite,” “respectable,” and “all about service,” while signing his condolences, saying he was “kind to the royal family.”
“Queen Elizabeth lived her life for the people,” Jill Biden wrote in a book for spouses and ambassadors. “She served with her wisdom and grace. I will never forget her warmth, kindness and the conversations we shared.”
Amidst the flood of dignitaries, the clock ticked for those looking for a place to stand in the longest line I’ve ever seen lining past the Queen’s coffin. The miles-long line will be closed to new arrivals later on Sunday so that everyone in line can see the coffin before it is taken to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral on Monday morning. It is scheduled to be
Thousands of people, per family, kept queuing around the clock, waiting up to 17 hours in cold nights and lines that stretched over 5 miles (8 kilometers).
Lauren Wilson, 36, was much shorter in line for people with mobility problems.
“The world is in such a strange place and then this happened. It feels more grave,” she said.
She worried that the public fuss surrounding Elizabeth’s death would rob the Queen’s relatives of their ability to accept the loss.
“Family members cannot be allowed to grieve. I find it very heartbreaking,” she said.
The Queen’s eight grandchildren, led by the heir to the throne, Prince William, circled the coffin and stood with their heads bowed during Saturday night’s silent vigil.
Among the foreign leaders in London was New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“What I can learn from this period is the beauty of the public reaction, the kindness, patience and camaraderie seen from members of the public. was,” she said.
People across Britain will also pause for a national time of silence on Sunday evening to mourn the Queen, who died on September 8 at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne. Monday is declared a public holiday and the funeral is broadcast to large television audiences around the world and screened to large numbers of people in parks and public spaces across the country.
Police officers from all over the country will be on duty as part of the largest one-day policing operation in London’s history.
Crowds also gathered near Windsor Castle on Sunday as the Queen was enshrined in a private family ceremony Monday night.
Steve Beeson arrived with his family of three and a bouquet of flowers he had purchased for the Queen.
“She has always stabilized the reins of the country through all these very difficult times. The least we can do is come and say ‘thank you,'” he said.
Queen Camilla paid tribute to her mother-in-law in a video message, saying the monarch had “carved out her own role” as a “lone woman” on the male-dominated world stage.
“I will always remember her smile. I will never forget that smile,” said Camilla, who is married to Charles.
Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska was also among the mourners paying tribute to the Queen’s coffin. They gave no further details.The British government has backed Ukraine most strongly since it was invaded by Russia in February.
Saturday night was the time of mourning for my grandchildren. Prince Charles’ sons Prince William and Prince Harry were joined by Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Edward’s two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
William bowed to the coffin’s head and Harry stood at his feet with his head bowed. The crowd moved slowly and quietly passed by.
“You could tell they were serious about their grandmother, the Queen,” said Ian Mockett, a civil engineer in Oxford, Southern England. “Given what has happened in the last few years, it was nice to see them together as a set of grandchildren.”
The lying state continues until early Monday morning, when a gun carriage drawn by 142 Royal Navy sailors transports the Queen’s coffin to nearby Westminster Abbey for her funeral. This is the finale of her ten-day national mourning for Britain’s longest-reigning queen. Monarch.
After monastery services on Monday, the late Queen’s coffin will be hauled through London’s historic center in a state artillery car. She will then be taken in her hearse to Windsor to be buried with her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year at the age of 99.
Junta Tanda placed a bright red rose as a giant flower tribute bloomed near Windsor Castle.
“I feel so honored to be a Windsor local,” she said. “I just wanted to show my respect.”
Follow AP coverage of Queen Elizabeth II at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii.
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