LONDON — People across Britain have paused for minute of silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her funeral.
The government had encouraged people to spend a minute in reflection, either at home, with neighbors or in locally organized ceremonies.
In Westminster Hall, where the queen is lying in state, the line of mourners halted for 60 seconds.
The queen is due to be laid to rest at Windsor Castle on Monday after a state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London attended by royalty, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.
LONDON — U.S. President Joe Biden has joined world leaders and dignitaries at Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by King Charles III.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived in their presidential car Sunday among a convoy of vehicles, while dozens of world leaders arrived in groups by bus.
Among them were New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Irish President Michael D. Higgins and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also joined dozens of other guests at the reception.
World leaders have flown into London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service on Monday.
LONDON — Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, has appeared at London’s Westminster Hall to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
British royal officials said Zelenska also met with Catherine, the Princess of Wales, at Buckingham Palace on Sunday afternoon. They did not release further details.
World leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden have flown into London to attend the queen’s funeral service on Monday.
Zelenska is expected to join some 2,000 dignitaries and guests in Westminster Abbey for the service. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not expected to attend as the war in Ukraine continues.
LONDON — U.S. President Joe Biden called Queen Elizabeth II “decent” and “honorable” as he signed a condolence book Sunday, saying his heart went out to the royal family.
The president and first lady are in London to pay their respects to the queen, who is lying in state at Westminster Hall.
Biden sat down at a simple table draped in blue with a framed photo of the queen and bouquet of white flowers and wrote a note in the book before speaking briefly.
He said the queen treated people with dignity.
Jill Biden signed the book specific for spouses and ambassadors at a similar table in a different room of Lancaster House.
“Queen Elizabeth lived her life for the people,” Jill Biden wrote. “She served with wisdom and grace. We 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 Monday. Elizabeth died Sept. 8 at age 96, and hundreds of thousands of people have waited in long lines to pay respects to the UK’s longest-reigning monarch.