Queen Elizabeth II funeral prep: King Charles III hosts Biden, world leaders at Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth II lies in state at Westminster Hall for the final day on Sunday. The queue nears capacity ahead of the fallen sovereign's funeral on Monday. King Charles III and the Royal Family will host heads of state, including President Biden, for a reception at Buckingham Palace.
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Prince Harry, Prince Andrew hold vigil at the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall (Getty Images)
Prince Harry's military uniform was noticeably different from his brother's, Prince William, and uncle's, Prince Andrew, as they each stood vigil over Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall ahead of her funeral on Monday.
The "ER" initials were positioned on the shoulder of Prince William's uniform, and were also seen on Prince Andrew's military regalia during another senior royal vigil, which stands for "Elizabeth Regina" in Latin.
Prince Harry was finally allowed to wear his military uniform at the last minute after receiving approval from King Charles III, when Kensington Palace announced Friday the surprise, 15-minute vigil with the Queen's grandchildren.
Click here to read more about the missing piece to Harry's uniform.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte seen at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June (Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton's oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will be in attendance at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral Monday at Westminster Abbey in London.
The nine-year-old prince and his seven-year-old sister are also expected to follow Her Majesty's casket along in the "Procession of the Coffin," in official proceedings of the memorial released by the Palace.
Noticeably absent from the roster is their youngest son, Prince Louis, who is four years old.
Click here to read more about the Queen's funeral arrangements.
Queen Elizabeth II, Platinum Jubilee (Royal Family)
A new portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II was released Sunday before Monday's funeral at Westminster Hall in London.
"Ahead of Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral, a new photograph has been released," the royal family said in a statement released on Twitter.
"The photo was taken to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee - the first British Monarch to reach this milestone."
"Tomorrow, millions will come together to commemorate her remarkable life."
Click here to read more about the world leaders expected at the Queen's funeral Monday.
King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II at Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June (Getty Images)
King Charles III and his wife, the Queen Consort Camilla, are "deeply touched" by the outpouring of support given to the royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II nearly two weeks ago.
"Over the last ten days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence and support we have received from this country and across the world," he wrote in a statement released through Buckingham Palace.
"In London, Edinburgh, Hillsborough and Cardiff we were moved beyond measure by everyone who took the trouble to come and pay their respects to the lifelong service of my dear mother, The late Queen."
Click here to read more of the King's statement.
(WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, First Lady Olena Zelenska was photographed in the United Kingdom on Sunday, paying her respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall.
She, along with other dignitaries, are invited to join the Royal Family for a reception ahead of the Queen's funeral Monday.
She was not joined by her husband, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are photographed arriving at Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. (Jacob King/Pool PA/AP Newsroom)
President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arrived at Westminster Hall to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, whose coffin continues to lie in state until her funeral tomorrow.
Other distinguished Heads of States, including the President of France Emmanuel Macron, the President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, the President of Singapore Halimah Yacob, the President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, among many others were photographed paying their respects to the monarch.
Several were also photographed writing in a condolence book.
Dignitaries will meet with King Charles III and other Royal Family members later for a reception.
Mourners gather outside Westminster Hall to pay their final respects to the Queen. (Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images)
The images have been on TV for days now. Lines of the public entering Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament to pay their respects in person at the casket of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Full of all its pomp and pageantry and emotion.
But you can’t really get the feel for the event unless you’re inside and in person. As waits can be up to 20 hours, the Royal Household is allowing a limited number of journalists to go inside and observe for a half hour. No cameras, recorders, phones. Just old school pen and paper. So along with Producer Simon Owen who did the legwork, we entered the solemn space at midnight Saturday night.
Click to read more about the last opportunity given to the public to see the Queen.
Fox News Channel's Correspondent Greg Palkot contributed to this report.
Along with a statement, disgraced Prince Andrew shared a photo of himself with the Queen from when he was an infant. (Cecil Beaton/ Royal Collection Trust)
Prince Andrew issued his first statement after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It comes one day before the late monarch's funeral.
He wrote, "Dear Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one.
Your Majesty, it has been an honour and privilege to serve you.
Mother - of the nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular; your people show their love and respect in so many different ways and I know you are looking on honouring their respect.
Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, with no boundary or containment. I will miss your insights, advice and humour. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide.
Camilla, pictured with Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, spoke highly of the late monarch. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen Consort Camilla spoke highly of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II in a solo interview with the BBC, set to debut later today.
Camilla said that her understanding of the monarchy throughout her own lifetime was of the Queen herself.
Camilla also reminisced about the sovereign’s "wonderful blue eyes" and her "unforgettable" smile. "She’s got those wonderful blue eyes, that when she smiles they light up her whole face," she told the BBC. "I will always remember her smile. That smile is unforgettable."
The BBC tribute to the queen will be followed by a national minute of silence in her honor.
Click to read more about Camilla's admiration for the Queen.
Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
King Charles III greeted the United Kingdom's newest Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Buckingham Palace. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
King Charles greeted Britain's newest Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Truss M.P. in Buckingham Palace today, before he welcomes approximately 2,000 dignitaries and leaders in preparation for the Queen's funeral tomorrow.
The King met with Truss in the 1844 Room.
Just days before Queen Elizabeth II's death, Truss was confirmed as the successor to Boris Johnson. The two met at Balmoral Castle on September 6, two days before the Queen would pass away.
Later today, Heads of State and other officials will be greeted by the Royal Family for a reception.
Members of the public queue to pay their respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Thousands of police, hundreds of troops and an army of officials made final preparations Sunday for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II — a spectacular display of national mourning that will also be the biggest gathering of world leaders for years.
U.S. President Joe Biden and other dignitaries are arriving in London for the funeral, to which around 500 royals, heads of state and heads of government from around the globe have been invited, according to The Associated Press.
Thousands of people continued to line up around the clock to file past the queen’s coffin as it lies in state at Parliament’s Westminster Hall, braving chilly overnight temperatures and waits of up to 17 hours. The queen’s eight grandchildren, led by heir to the throne Prince William, circled the coffin and stood with heads bowed during a silent vigil on Saturday evening.
The miles-long queue is expected to be closed to new arrivals later Sunday so that everyone in line can file past the coffin before Monday morning, when it will be borne on a gun carriage to Westminster Abbey for the queen’s funeral.
People across the U.K. are due to pause Sunday evening for a nationwide minute of silence to remember the queen, who died Sept. 8 at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne. Monday has been declared a public holiday
For previous live updates, click here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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