President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Arrive at Queen Elizabeth's Funeral
President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have arrived at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Even before official funeral plans were confirmed or announced publicly, the President shared that he planned to attend. When asked about the service the day after the Queen died, he said, "Yes. I don't know what the details are yet but I'll be going," per People.
Following Queen Elizabeth's death on September 8, the President and First Lady issued a statement paying tribute to the late monarch. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era," the Bidens shared. "In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity."
Biden met with the Queen several times, and while he has yet to make an official state visit to the UK as president, he did have tea with the late Monarch at Windsor Castle in June 2021 on his first international trip in the position. At the time, Biden said the Queen was "extremely gracious, which is not surprising." He added that "she reminded me of my mother, in terms of the look of her and just the generosity."
Ahead of today's service, the Bidens paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth by visiting her coffin, lying in state in Westminster Hall.
"We’ve had an opportunity to meet with an awful lot of consequential people, but I can say that the ones who stand out in your mind are those whose relationship and interaction with you are consistent with their reputation," Biden said after signing a condolence book.
"When the Queen had us to the castle for tea and—we were joking—crumpets—she kept offering me more; I kept eating everything she put in front of me—but she was the same in person as she—as her image: decent, honorable, and all about service.
And our hearts go out to the Royal Family—King Charles and all the family. It’s a loss that leaves a giant hole. And sometimes you think you’ll never—you’ll never overcome it.
But as I’ve told the King, she’s going to be with him every step of the way — every minute, every moment. And that’s a reassuring notion.
So, to all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you. And you were fortunate to have had her for 70 years. We all were. The world is better for her."
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