RECEPTION OF THE CENTURY
Presidents, prime ministers, princes and princesses join the...
KING Charles welcomed world leaders and royalty last night as Buckingham Palace hosted the reception of the century in memory of the Queen.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, France’s president Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron, and New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern were among the hundreds of guests invited to the palace ahead of the Queen’s funeral today.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and other working members of the Royal Family – including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester – joined Charles and the Queen Consort at the reception.
But there was no invitation for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who allegedly found out they were ‘uninvited’ to the event by reading press reports. It was reportedly decided that only working members of the Royal Family should attend.
It is believed the Duke of York was also not present.
Guests – many of whom travelled to the palace in coaches from Royal Chelsea Hospital, which became a drop-off point for the dignitaries – were asked to wear lounge suits and morning dress.
Leaders from across the globe descended on the capital over the weekend. The US President was among the first to jet in, landing at Stansted Airport just before 10pm on Saturday. His motorcade and police entourage was later spotted travelling through Tottenham in north London.
Yesterday, an hour before the reception, Mr and Mrs Biden visited the Queen’s lying-instate at Westminster Hall.
He then signed the book of condolence at Lancaster House, where he claimed the Queen reminded him of his mother and added: ‘You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years, we all were. The world
‘You were fortunate to have had her’
is better for her.’ Many world leaders were given a VIP time slot to observe the lying-instate, meaning they avoided the long queue.
Mr Macron and his first lady strolled through central London, flanked by aides and security guards, before attending Westminster Hall – where they arrived wearing trainers – and then the palace.
Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska also paid her respects at Westminster Hall, with her husband Volodymyr Zelensky expected to attend the funeral. She was also hosted at the palace yesterday afternoon by Kate, the Princess of Wales.
In a nod to her homeland, Mrs Zelenska arrived at Buckingham Palace reception last
night wearing a gold pin inspired by a rushnyk – fabric embroidered with Ukrainian symbols. Prime Minister Liz Truss held talks with world leaders yesterday before a private audience with the King ahead of the reception.
UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, a controversial figure, also attended the event. He was found to have ‘ordered’ the kidnapping of his daughter Princess Latifa in 2018 by a UK High Court. Other guests included King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania.