Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns
US President Joe Biden will be taking his armoured 'Beast' vehicle to Westminster Abbey for the queen’s funeral next week, while other world leaders will have to make do with a shared bus.
Many have been asked to share buses from an undisclosed location in west London to avoid the traffic around Westminster Abbey grinding to a halt.
But Whitehall sources said Mr Biden, who has confirmed his attendance, would be allowed to travel to the abbey in his armoured Cadillac, known as The Beast, for security reasons.
Other world leaders, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog are also likely to have their own transport.
One government source said it clearly would not be appropriate to ask G7 leaders to “take a bus”, but dignitaries were being asked to be as flexible as possible.
With officials facing the largest gathering of foreign dignitaries in England since Sir Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965, an unprecedented logistical and diplomatic operation is under way to prepare for the arrival of leaders from around the world.
Rehearsals for procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin in London - in pictures
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An early morning rehearsal for the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin in London. PA -
Grenadier Guards, a unit of the Household Division Foot Guards, take part in the rehearsal. AFP -
Queen Elizabeth's coffin will be transferred from Buckingham Palace by gun carriage in a ceremonial procession taking place on Wednesday. Getty Images -
Members of the of the Grenadier Guards form up at Wellington Barracks ahead of a final full dress rehearsal. EPA -
Guardsmen march from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster during the early morning rehearsal. Getty Images -
'Tri-Service' personnel taking part in a full dress rehearsal in London. EPA -
Grenadier Guards march past Big Ben in central London. PA
“This is the biggest international event we have hosted in decades,” a Whitehall source said.
The source compared the logistical task to organising “hundreds of state visits” within a matter of days. Normally, there might only be two or three a year.
It presents a huge logistical, diplomatic and security challenge, with practice runs taking place in the dead of night.
Invitations were sent over the weekend to the heads of state of nations with which the UK has diplomatic relations. For most countries, that means the head of state plus one guest.
An official list has not yet been published, but the event will see about 500 dignitaries from around the world descend on London to pay their last respects to the long-reigning monarch.
The UK mourns Queen Elizabeth II - in pictures
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A tribute altar for Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park in London. AFP -
Ann Doran, 6, looks at floral tributes left in Green Park. Reuters -
Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, look at floral tributes on the Sandringham Estate. AFP -
A drawing of the queen and her husband Prince Philip among flowers outside Windsor Castle. AFP -
Members of the public view floral tributes in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace. PA -
People queue on a bridge over the river Thames to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters -
A member of the public lights a candle at Windsor Parish Church. AFP -
Residents of the Lawn care home in Alton, Hampshire, decorate an area with photographs of Queen Elizabeth, bunting and their own flower arrangements. PA -
Lloyd's of London chief John Neal delivers remarks honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth during a remembrance ceremony in the atrium of the company's offices in London. Getty Images -
Joyce Buckley, a sponge decorator at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, paints a commemorative mug. PA -
A royalist standing in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Tributes to Queen Elizabeth are viewed at St James's Park in London. Reuters -
Crowds gather outside St. Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile as the queen's coffin passes in Edinburgh. Bloomberg -
Chelsea Pensioners attend a Drumhead service of remembrance, with readings and prayers, in London. Getty Images -
An image of Queen Elizabeth at Green Park Tube station. Reuters -
Vanessa, Anne and Grace, from left to right, wait opposite the Palace of Westminster to be first in line bidding farewell to Queen Elizabeth in London. AP -
A young girl holds Paddington Bear and Corgi stuffed toys while waiting to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Reuters -
Well-wishers outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images -
Lloyd Smith paints a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in London. AFP -
A child lays flowers outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AP -
A family leaves flowers outside Buckingham Palace. EPA -
Flowers and tributes, including sunflowers and a Paddington Bear, are left for Queen Elizabeth at the Green Park memorial in London. AP -
People start to camp on The Mall ahead of Queen Elizabeth's coffin being taken from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon by procession on a Gun Carriage to the Palace of Westminster. PA -
Flowers left in St James's Park, London. PA -
A man with his dog arrive early as they wait to view the cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. Getty Images -
Members of the public gather on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. PA -
Crowds watch as the hearse continues its journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse from Balmoral. PA -
The hearse passing over Queensferry Crossing on its way to Edinburgh. PA -
Flowers left at the Sandringham Estate, one of the queen's residences. EPA -
A Paddington Bear teapot at the Sandringham Estate. EPA -
Flowers left at the gates of the Sandringham Estate. EPA -
Flowers, cards and messages left in St James's Park in London. EPA -
People lay flowers at Buckingham Palace in London. Reuters
The leaders of most Commonwealth countries are expected to attend, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she will make the nearly 24-hour journey with a delegation of five others.
Canadian and Australian prime ministers, Justin Trudeau and Anthony Albanese, have also confirmed they will be attending.
Mr Albanese said he would not be travelling alone, tweeting that at Buckingham Palace’s invitation, he and Governor General David Hurley will be accompanied by “10 Australians who have made extraordinary contributions".
Mr Macron, Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italy’s Sergio Mattarella, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro are among the presidents attending, along with the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen.
King Felipe of Spain and his wife, Queen Letizia, are among the European royals who will attend.
Emperor Naruhito of Japan is also expected to travel to London in what would be his first overseas trip since ascending the throne in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace - video
The guest list for the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service could provide an idea of who else might come.
The 1,800-strong congregation featured about 30 foreign royals, including Prince Albert of Monaco, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, and King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway.
But it is not thought the trip will be made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took time out from organising his country’s fightback against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces to sign a book of condolence for the queen.
Arrival times will vary from leader to leader, Downing Street said.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss is not expected to hold any “formal” bilateral meetings with world leaders during the mourning period, but “there may be informal conversations that take place”, her spokesman said.
Former Conservative leader Lord Hague said that while there would “of course” be diplomacy surrounding the funeral, that was not the main focus.
“Of course there is some diplomacy – you can’t have that number of people together from around the world without them starting to say, ‘Well, what do you think is happening in Ukraine?’” he told Times Radio.
“Nevertheless, they’re coming because they want to pay their respects to this extraordinary head of state. And that is what 90 per cent of it will be about.”
RAF plane carrying Queen Elizabeth II's coffin lands in London - video
Downing Street on Monday refused to comment on reports that world leaders visiting London for the queen’s funeral have been asked to travel on commercial flights and will be bused to Westminster Abbey.
“Arrangements for leaders, including how they travel, will vary depending on individual circumstances,” the spokesman said. He said “the guidance and information provided is guidance”.
Leaders are expected to begin arriving in Britain from Friday and time has been set aside on Sunday for them to pay their respects to the queen as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.
On Sunday evening they will attend a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III.
Leaders will be able to sign an official condolence book at Lancaster House.
Queen Elizabeth II's lying in state explained - video
They will also be invited to deliver a tribute to the late queen lasting up to three minutes, which will be recorded for the media.
There will be two receptions for dignitaries after the service.
Members of the royal family will attend the first event at Windsor Castle after the procession of the queen from Westminster Abbey to St George’s chapel at Windsor.
The guest list for this event is likely to include only the heads of state from the Commonwealth and realms, alongside key UK allies such as the US.
A second-tier event will take place in Church House for other leaders, which will also include senior government ministers and diplomats.
