Biden and world leaders attend Queen Elizabeth II funeral

service It was hosted at Westminster Abbey by the Rev. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster. Britain’s Prime Minister Liz Truss and Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland read the text. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby delivers a sermon. At the end of the service, there was a sound of the last post before a two-minute silence. The state funeral was brought to a conclusion by Queen’s Piper, who played a revel, the national anthem and a lament.

invitation Over the weekend the heads of state of the countries with which the United Kingdom has diplomatic relations were sent. The list of leaders attending the state funeral was long, and included leaders from across the Commonwealth and around the world. Delegates from Syria, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Venezuela were absent. For most countries with invitations, attendance is extended to a head of state and a guest.

Biden was one of the few world leaders to attend the Queen’s funeral in his own convoy, but for the past 10 days, his aides have worked behind the scenes to make sure he has as small a footprint as possible. while he was laid to rest. ,

A person familiar with the plan said the White House was very conscious about Biden not traveling, reviewing protocol closely in recent days to avoid any missteps that could potentially end up Can be distracted by rituals. Biden traveled with a shorter staff than usual for an overseas trip, and his aides decided against scheduling an informal meeting with Truss while in London.

Instead, Biden’s schedule was only those planned in coordination with the palace, the person said.

Monday’s formal events are the culmination of nearly two weeks of public order, codenamed “Operation London Bridge”.

Planning for the Queen’s funeral has dragged on for years, giving US advisers more information about what will happen in the coming days as security arrangements are made. The White House said it had only received invitations for the President and First Lady to create a slimmed-down American footprint.

The funeral takes place the same week that world leaders are to convene for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Biden will hold his first bilateral meeting with Truss on Wednesday.

This story has been updated with additional development and reporting.