PALACE RECEPTION
Joe Biden compares Queen to his mum in touching tribute after seeing coffin as world leaders arrive at Buckingham Palace
JOE Biden compared the Queen to his mum in a touching tribute tonight as world leaders arrive at Buckingham Palace for a reception with King Charles.
Speaking at Lancaster House as he signed the book of condolence, the US president said the "world is better" because of the Queen.
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"To all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you," he said.
"You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years, we all were. The world is better for her."
Biden described the Queen as "decent" and "honest" - and compared her to his own mother.
He said: "She had that look which said 'are you ok, is there anything I can do for you, what do you need'."
READ MORE ON THE QUEEN'S DEATH
Earlier, Biden made the sign of the cross before placing his hand on his heart as he took his place on the balcony in Westminster Hall with his wife Jill for the Queen's lying in state.
The couple, who touched down at Stansted last night, arrived in the presidential car at Buckingham Palace shortly before 6pm.
The King and Queen Consort are set to host world leaders and official overseas guests at the palace in an "official state event".
It comes as the Princess of Wales met the Ukraine's first lady ahead of the Queen's funeral.
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Olena Zelenska was pictured meeting Kate at the Palace on Sunday afternoon.
They sat either side of a fireplace on gingham armchairs with purple orchids on display in the background.
Ms Zelenska also visited Westminster Hall earlier to see the Queen lying in state.
Biden and Ms Zelenska will be just one of 500 heads of state and VIPs at the Queen’s funeral, with many also attending tonight's reception.
On Monday, Biden will be joined by fellow G7 leaders French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
Other royals attending include the kings of Belgium, Bhutan, Jordan, Lesotho, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Tonga.
The Queen of Denmark will be there, too, alongside the crown princes of Bahrain, Kuwait and Liechtenstein, plus the sultans of Brunei and Oman.
New Zealand will be represented by Maori King Tuheitia Paki and PM Jacinda Ardern.
Other Commonwealth leaders include Australian PM Anthony Albanese, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Jamaican PM Andrew Holness.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel will both attend, as will Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, Irish President and .
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China’s Vice-President Wang Qishan, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are all invited.
But six countries — Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela — were overlooked when the funeral invitations were sent out.
Two million mourners are set to descend on London on Monday.
And at 8pm tonight the country will observe a minute's silence to remember the Queen.
People have been invited to mark the occasion privately at home, on their doorstep or street, or at community events and vigils.
It will come shortly after the Queen Consort pays a televised tribute to the late monarch, recalling her “wonderful blue eyes” and saying: “I will always remember her smile.”
Camilla, in pre-recorded words on the BBC, will speak of how Queen Elizabeth II was a “solitary woman” in a male-dominated world.
She will add: “I can’t remember anyone except the Queen being there.”
There will also be a service of reflection near Falkirk, Scotland at 7.30pm.
It will see 96 lanterns, one for each year of the late monarch’s life, lowered into the pool of reflection at the foot of the Queen Elizabeth II Canal, before wreaths are placed into the water.
It comes after King Charles held an audience with Liz Truss this afternoon.
His Majesty was pictured laughing with the Prime Minister after she shook his hand and curtseyed to him this afternoon.
It is Ms Truss' third audience with the King since he became monarch earlier this month.
The PM will also meet Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Polish president Andrzej Duda in Downing Street.
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Biden was also due to meet Ms Truss on Sunday - but the talks were cancelled on Saturday.
A "full bilateral meeting" was scheduled for Wednesday when the leaders are set to be in New York for the UN General Assembly.
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