The world is watching and and many are actually traveling to what is being called “the reception of the century” at Buckingham Palace after paying respect to Queen Elizabeth II and attending her funeral on Monday. It will be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in history.
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla greeted President Joe Biden as he arrived in a private vehicle. President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte also came for the somber gathering. This kind of event has not been seen since the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s father George VI in 1952, that more than 70 years ago.
There’s also the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins who was dropped off from a coach. With him was the former King and Queen Consort of Spain, Juan Carlos and Sofia along with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
The new king and queen literally met hundreds of world dignitaries, including New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau, as well as Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and the Kings and Queens from Holland, Norway and Sweden.
Most of these dignitaries viewed the Queen’s coffin in the heart of Parliament. They were given a VIP time slot while the masses waited in lines for up to 12 hours.
Some have compared this event to Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in 2013 in South Africa. It had to be in a stadium due to the huge amount of world mourners.
Guests were told to wear lounge suits and morning dress rather than ball gowns and white tie as would be expected.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that tomorrow’s state funeral is an “unprecedented” security challenge. There are hundreds of thousands of people packing central London and a funeral guest list of 500 emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and other leaders from around the world.
“It’s been decades since this many world leaders were in one place,” Mr. Khan said. “This is unprecedented … in relation to the various things that we’re juggling.”
