King Charles III smiled and waved at cheering well-wishers as he arrived at Buckingham Palace the place he’ll host the ‘reception of the century’ for 1,000 VIPs together with world leaders and international royals this night – as Britain holds a minute’s silence for his mom the Queen on the eve of her state funeral.
The brand new monarch was pushed via the palace gates in Central London within the state Rolls-Royce as a crowd of royal followers applauded him.
Charles is holding a reception Prime Minister Liz Truss within the 1844 Room from 12.15pm earlier than he and Queen Consort Camilla will host a whole bunch of dignitaries, from world leaders resembling US President Joe Biden, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau to senior members of the British royal household, ambassadors from virtually all nations. and international royals together with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, the Kings and Queens from Holland, Norway and Spain.
Most are additionally anticipated to view the Queen‘s coffin within the historical coronary heart of Parliament after being given a VIP timeslot – elevating the prospect that mourners who’ve queued via the night time can pay their respects with leaders of the free world.
Nonetheless, visitors requested to put on lounge fits and morning gown slightly than ball robes and white tie as could be anticipated at a regular state occasion on the King’s London dwelling. They’ll arrive at 6pm for drinks and canapes within the Buckingham Palace image gallery and state flats.
And studies recommend that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been ‘uninvited’ to a state reception for world leaders and international royals this night.
Mr Biden, who flew in late final night time, mentioned that the Queen ‘outlined an period’ after she reigned for a record-breaking 70 years. Australia’s anti-monarchy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who seen the lying-in-state and met Charles yesterday, advised Sky Information Australia that the Queen was ‘a continuing reassuring presence’. There was additionally a personal viewers at Buckingham Palace for Ms Ardern, which like Australia and 12 different Commonwealth realms now counts Charles as its sovereign.
King Charles III receives Prime Minister Liz Truss within the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III receives Prime Minister Liz Truss
The King met with the Prime Minister within the 1844 Room in Buckingham Palace
King Charles smiled as he was pushed via the gates of Buckingham Palace
King Charles smiling and waving at well-wishers as he arrives at Buckingham Palace
King Charles arrive at Buckingham Palace forward of a grand reception of 1,000 VIPs
Nicely-wishers cheered and waved on the monarch as he was pushed within the state Rolls-Royce to the palace
King Charles III passing well-wishers as he arrives at Buckingham Palace
US President Joe Biden and First Girl Jill Biden arrive at Stansted on Air Power One final night time
Britain’s King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, as he receives realm prime ministers within the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace yesterday
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his spouse Sophie Trudeau pay respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in Westminster Corridor
French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte might be heading to London for the occasion
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are anticipated on the Buckingham Palace reception
The dialogue between King Charles III (left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (proper) was saved secret on account of ‘protocol’, however Mr Albanese hinted that they mentioned atmosphere points, together with local weather change
Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren (clockwise from entrance centre) the Prince of Wales, Peter Phillips, James, Viscount Severn, Princess Eugenie, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Girl Louise Windsor and Zara Tindall maintain a vigil
Members of the general public pay their respects as they move Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped coffin
Police are seen in Westminster as they safe the world between Westminster Corridor and Buckingham Palace
It’s thought Prince Harry and his spouse Meghan Markle obtained an invite to the occasion, hosted by King Charles and the Queen Consort, earlier within the week.
However the couple are actually unlikely to attend after officers at Buckingham Palace insisted the reception was for working royals solely, it’s understood.
The confusion over Harry and Meghan’s invitation factors to points with communication between the Californian-based couple and the Royal Household, in line with the Each day Telegraph. It follows an obvious U-turn over Harry’s proper to put on navy uniform regardless of being a non-working royal.
The Palace is known to have intervened to permit Harry to put on his regalia to a 15-minute vigil at Westminster Corridor yesterday. Harry had beforehand mentioned he would put on a morning go well with to all of the funeral occasions.
The funeral of the one monarch most Britons have identified includes the most important safety operation London has ever seen.
Mayor Sadiq Khan says tomorrow’s state funeral is an ‘unprecedented’ safety problem, with a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals packing central London and a funeral visitor record of 500 emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and different leaders from all over the world.
‘It’s been many years since this many world leaders have been in a single place,’ Mr Khan mentioned. ‘That is unprecedented … in relation to the assorted issues that we’re juggling.’
‘There might be dangerous folks eager to trigger harm to people or to a few of our world leaders,’ he advised The Related Press. ‘So we’re working extremely laborious – the police, the safety companies and plenty of, many others – to verify this state funeral is as profitable as it may be.’
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy mentioned the ‘vastly advanced’ policing operation is the most important within the London power’s historical past, surpassing the London 2012 Olympics.
‘Our response right here in London might be proportionate, will probably be balanced, and officers will solely be taking motion the place it’s completely crucial,’ he mentioned.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley mentioned the objective was to maintain the occasion protected, ‘and attempt to do it in as unobtrusive a method as attainable, as a result of that is clearly a solemn event.’
Greater than 10,000 law enforcement officials might be on obligation Monday, with London officers supplemented by reinforcements from all of Britain’s 43 police forces. A whole lot of volunteer marshals and members of the armed forces may even act as stewards alongside the processional route.
They’re simply probably the most seen a part of a safety operation that’s being run from a high-tech management middle close to Lambeth Bridge, not removed from Parliament.
Avenue drains and rubbish bins are being searched and sealed. Tomorrow there might be police spotters on rooftops, sniffer canine on the streets, marine officers on the River Thames and mounted police on horseback.
Flying drones over Central London has been briefly banned, and Heathrow Airport is grounding scores of flights in order that plane noise doesn’t disturb the funeral service.
Authorities face the problem of retaining 500 world leaders protected, with out ruffling too many diplomatic feathers. Presidents, prime ministers and royalty will collect offsite earlier than being taken by bus to the abbey – although an exception is being made for Mr Biden, who is anticipated to reach in his armored limousine, generally known as The Beast.
One other problem is the sheer measurement of the crowds anticipated to assemble round Westminster Abbey and alongside the route the coffin will journey after the funeral, previous Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park. From there will probably be taken by hearse about 20 miles to Windsor, the place one other 2,000 law enforcement officials might be on obligation.
The Queen is because of be interred in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Fortress alongside her husband Prince Philip, who died final yr aged 99.
King Charles arrives at Buckingham Palace
Street closures on Monday embody The Mall, Whitehall, Chelsea Embankment, Victoria Embankment and Kensington Street
Cops patrol the world round Westminster, together with Westminster Corridor, and Buckingham Palace
Armed police are deployed within the capital as UK forces step up their presence within the metropolis
Police and navy personnel safe the world round Buckingham Palace forward of the state funeral
Selfies are taken alongside The Mall forward of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
Joe Biden and Jill Biden go away London Stansted airport with their motorcade forward of the funeral
Members of the general public view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II
Police are deploying greater than 22 miles of obstacles in central London to regulate the crowds, and transit bosses are getting ready for jam-packed stations, buses and subway trains as 1million folks flood the ceremonial coronary heart of London. Subways will run later than regular and practice corporations are including additional companies to assist get folks dwelling.
Whereas many might be mourning the queen, help for the monarchy is much from common. Police have already drawn criticism for arresting a number of individuals who staged peaceable protests throughout occasions associated to the queen’s loss of life and the accession of King Charles III.
Mr Cundy mentioned it had been made clear to officers that ‘folks have a proper to protest.’
The ultimate day of the Queen’s mendacity in state is about to happen, whereas a minute’s silence might be held later to mourn her loss of life.
The late monarch’s coffin will stay in Westminster Corridor for the general public to view till 6.30am on Monday, forward of the state funeral in Westminster Abbey, with Sunday more likely to be the final probability to affix the queue.
Tens of hundreds of mourners are nonetheless queueing for not less than 13 hours on the ultimate day of Her Majesty’s lying-in-state on the Palace of Westminster earlier than her coffin is faraway from public view at 6.30am tomorrow, the morning of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
At 8pm, the nation will observe a one-minute silence to recollect the Queen, with folks invited to mark the event privately at dwelling, on their doorstep or road, or at group occasions and vigils.
It’s going to come shortly after the Queen Consort pays a televised tribute to the late monarch, recalling her ‘great blue eyes’ and saying: ‘I’ll at all times keep in mind her smile.’
Camilla, in pre-recorded phrases on the BBC, will communicate of how Queen Elizabeth II was a ‘solitary lady’ in a male-dominated world.
She is going to add: ‘I can’t keep in mind anybody besides the Queen being there.’
There may even be a service of reflection close to Falkirk, Scotland at 7.30pm.
The DCMS has mentioned the historic event might be proven on big screens in numerous places throughout the UK – from London’s Hyde Park to Coleraine City Corridor in Northern Eire.
Round 125 cinemas may even be screening the occasion – together with Sky Information, ITV and the BBC for folks watching from dwelling.
On Saturday night, the Queen’s eight grandchildren collectively staged a heart-rending night vigil round their beloved Granny’s coffin.
The Prince of Wales, on the head of the coffin, together with his brother the Duke of Sussex on the foot, each within the Blues and Royals No 1 uniform, stood with their heads bowed in her honour in sombre silence within the huge Westminster Corridor.
Members of the general public stand within the queue within the early hours of the morning, close to Tower Briddge, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The ‘Elizabeth Line’ will shut at this time
Future king William was flanked on the corners by his cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Philips.
Harry was between Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with 18-year-old Girl Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn – the Queen’s youngest grandchild who’s simply 14 – on the center on both facet of the coffin.
The grandchildren, invited by the King, had wished to pay their respects as their dad and mom had completed the night earlier than.
William and the King additionally went on a walkabout within the afternoon to greet mourners within the queue for the mendacity in state, after Charles was given a tour of the Metropolitan Police Service Particular Operations Room.
A whole lot of individuals in line at Lambeth, south London, cheered and applauded, with William and Charles shaking scores of fingers and the prince discussing how lengthy folks had waited and whether or not they have been in a position to hold heat.
