Status: 09/18/2022 10:41 p.m
On the eve of the funeral, senior mourners paid their last respects to the late British Queen at Westminster Hall. Among them was US President Biden, who paid tribute to them: “The world is a better one because it existed.”
High-ranking guests from all over the world paid their last respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and bowed before her coffin, which was laid out in Westminster Hall. US President Joe Biden crossed himself as he and his wife Jill looked down at the Queen’s coffin from a gallery. He feels for the people of the United Kingdom, Biden said after writing a book of condolences for the Queen: “They were lucky to have had them for 70 years. The world is a better one because it existed.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spain’s King Felipe and the visibly moved Ukrainian President’s wife Olena Selenska also paid tribute to the Queen in Westminster Hall.
Heads of state from all over the world travel for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ann-Britt Bakkenbüll, NDR, daily topics 10:45 p.m., September 18, 2022
Reception at Buckingham Palace
In the evening King Charles III. Biden, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and other officials and dignitaries at Buckingham Palace. The king had previously welcomed Australian Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for an audience. “You can tell it means a lot to him to see the sheer extent of people’s feelings for the late Queen,” Ardern told the BBC. At the same time, she indicated the challenges facing the royal family: she expects New Zealand to abolish the monarchy “while I’m still alive”.
President Joe Biden signs a book of condolence after the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House in London while First Lady Jill Biden looks on.
Image: AP
Minute of silence in memory of the Queen
At the same time, the country observed a minute’s silence. People across the UK paused to pay tribute to the late Queen. The British government had called for a minute’s silence to commemorate the monarch either at home, with neighbors or as part of locally organized ceremonies. The line of mourners stopped for 60 seconds at Westminster Hall in London, where the Queen’s coffin had been opened to the public since Wednesday.
A “not boring” funeral service
The funeral service for the late Queen Elizabeth II will take place in Westminster Abbey on Monday. More than 2000 officials and dignitaries from all over the world have been invited. Germany is represented by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Former Archbishop of York John Sentamu told the BBC that the Queen wanted a “non-boring” funeral service that would go to heart. The first curious people were already camping out around the cathedral to secure a good spot.
After the funeral service at Westminster Abbey, the coffin containing the Queen’s remains will be taken to Windsor Castle in a final solemn procession at noon. There, after a service with 800 guests, the funeral will take place in the evening with the royal family.
First state funeral since Churchill’s death
The state funeral for the Queen is the first in Great Britain since the death of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. The funeral ceremonies for the Queen are taking place under massive security precautions – for the London police it is the largest operation in their history.
The British royal family, however, has risen in popularity by five percentage points to 67 percent since the Queen’s 70th jubilee celebrations in June, according to a published poll. Charles is popular with 70 percent of Britons, heir to the throne Prince William even with 84 percent.