In the United Kingdom, the popular parade is nearing its end and the official delegations are flocking: the public has only a few hours left, Sunday September 18, to gather at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth before the state funeral on Monday. , in the presence of world leaders.

US President Joe Biden, the first head of state to arrive in England, landed at Stansted Airport near London on Saturday evening.

The tenant of the White House and his wife were to go to collect Sunday afternoon in front of the coffin of the monarch, always exposed 24 hours a day to the public.

On Sunday evening, Joe Biden will attend a reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for the dignitaries in attendance.

Funeral wake for the grandchildren of Elizabeth II

The relatives of the deceased continued to pay tribute to her, at the same time as the population waiting more than 5 p.m. to see the coffin for a few seconds.

Princes William and Harry were reunited again on Saturday evening on the occasion of a funeral wake for the eight grandchildren of Elizabeth II, under the gaze of visitors around the remains of the sovereign.

The two brothers were in uniform – Harry has not worn it since his shattering retirement from the monarchy – unlike their six cousins ​​Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise, reputed to be the queen's favorite granddaughter, and James, rarely appeared in public.

For Charles III, the diplomatic ball began on Saturday with a meeting with representatives of 14 other Commonwealth kingdoms, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

"Lonely Woman"

His wife, Queen Consort Camilla, spoke publicly for the first time since the death of Elizabeth II.

"It must have been so difficult for her to be a solitary woman. There were no female prime ministers or presidents. She was the only one, so I think she carved out her own role," said so declared the queen consort in an interview which will be broadcast in full by the BBC on Sunday, before a minute of silence observed by the whole of the United Kingdom at 8 p.m.

Praising the late sovereign's "unforgettable" smile, Camilla, long unloved by Britons who saw her as a home wrecker for being Charles' mistress when he was married to Princess Diana, had so far remained very discreet since the death of Elizabeth II on September 8.

London is preparing feverishly for the first state funeral since that of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. For the police, the event promises to be even bigger than the 2012 Olympics.

Final preparations

In addition to the American president, French President Emmanuel Macron is particularly expected, as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Will also come, among others, the Turkish presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian Jair Bolsonaro, the Japanese emperor Naruhito for his first trip abroad since his accession to the throne in 2019, or the Saudi prince Mohammed ben Salmane.

Many crowned heads have been invited, like Prince Albert of Monaco or the King of Spain Felipe VI, as well as his father Juan Carlos I, who abdicated in 2014 and now lives in exile in the United Arab Emirates.

Westminster Abbey, where the funeral will be held Monday at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. in Paris), can accommodate 2,000 people.

Elizabeth II will then be buried privately in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, west London, with her father, King George VI, and her husband, Prince Philip.

Last chance to see the queen

The hours are now counted to meditate before the remains of the sovereign, placed in Westiminster Hall in a closed coffin surmounted by the sumptuous imperial crown.

The public has until Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. to pay their last respects to Elizabeth II, final farewells in meditation, sometimes tears, for a queen who has become a symbol of unity and stability during her reign, of a record length in UK history.

With AFP

The summary of the

France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 app