Queen Eizabeth’s funeral: King Charles hosts world leaders

Britain geared up yesterday for the momentous state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as King Charles III hosted world leaders and ordinary mourners queued for the final hours left to view her coffin.

The first members of the public were already camping out in advance to catch a glimpse of today´s grand farewell at Westminster Abbey, which is expected to bring London to a standstill and be watched by billions of viewers worldwide.

"We wanted to have a good spot to see the procession," said Royal Navy veteran Bill Parry, 59, as he waited in camping chairs with two other former servicemen.

"It's not much to ask to sleep outside considering everything the queen did for us: 70 years of duty," he told AFP.

US President Joe Biden paid his last respects to the queen yesterday. Biden, who flew in late Saturday, has said that Elizabeth "defined an era" after she reigned for a record-breaking 70 years leading up to her death on September 8, aged 96.

After witnessing the sombre scene in parliament's Westminster Hall, Biden, Japan's Emperor Naruhito and other world leaders were due to attend a reception with the late queen's successor, King Charles III.

Australia's anti-monarchy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who viewed the lying-in-state and met Charles on Saturday, told Sky News Australia that the queen was "a constant reassuring presence".

There was also a private audience at Buckingham Palace for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, which like Australia and 12 other Commonwealth realms now counts Charles as its sovereign.

"You could see that it meant a huge amount (to Charles) to have seen the sheer scale and outpouring of people's love and affection for her late Majesty," she told BBC television yesterday.

Commonwealth leaders were among dozens of heads of state and government in attendance, as the country stages its biggest-ever policing operation.

Britain held a minute's silence yesterday evening to reflect on the "life and legacy" of the queen ahead of her funeral. Eurostar observed the moment on its cross-Channel trains.

Those wanting to view the flag-draped casket have until 6:30 am (0530 GMT) today to make it into the cavernous Westminster Hall opposite the Westminster Abbey. The state funeral will take place in the abbey at 11:00 am (1000 GMT).

Reflecting on the queen's wishes for the hour-long ceremony, the former archbishop of York, John Sentamu, said she "did not want what you call long, boring services".

"The hearts and people's cockles will be warmed and at the same time, there will be a moment of saying this is a funeral service that is glorious in its setting," he told BBC television.

As the queue continued to snake for miles along the River Thames yesterday morning, the waiting time stood at more than 13 hours, and the line was likely to be closed by the evening.

IT worker Shaun Mayo, 27, was among those relieved to have made it to Westminster Hall after queueing for 14 hours to pay his respects.