Biden arrives in UK for Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Sep 19, 2022 06:45 AM

STANSTED, United Kingdom - US President Joe Biden arrived in Britain late Saturday ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, an AFP photographer on board Air Force One said.

US President Joe Biden (R) signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London on September 18, 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. Britain was gearing up Sunday for the momentous state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as King Charles III prepared to host world leaders and as mourners queued for the final 24 hours left to view her coffin, lying in state in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster. Jonathan HORDLE / POOL / AFP

Biden's plane arrived at London Stansted Airport outside the capital just before 10:00 pm (2100 GMT).

He is expected to pay his respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin and meet the new King Charles III on Sunday ahead of Monday's state funeral.

However, a planned meeting with Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss has been cancelled.

Instead, they will hold a "full bilateral meeting" at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, her Downing Street office said.

It did not provide further details on why the original meeting with Biden had been cancelled.