King Charles hosts world leaders at Buckingham Palace reception

About 500 people were invited to the palace for an official reception for visiting dignitaries

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday, on the eve of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. AP

British Prime Minister Liz Truss arrives at Buckingham Palace on Sunday. AFP

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives at Buckingham Palace in London with his wife Susannah for the reception. AFP

US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrive for the reception. AFP

Mr Biden in his presidential car 'The Beast' as it drives to Buckingham Palace on Sunday. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrive for the reception hosted by King Charles. AP

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and husband Heiko arrive for the reception. AP

Israel's President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal arrive at Buckingham Palace. AFP

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrive at the reception hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace. PA

King Hamad of Bahrain arrives at the reception. AP

Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad, Crown Prince of Kuwait, arrives at Buckingham Palace. AP

Oman's Sultan Haitham arrives at the reception. AP

Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan arrives for the reception. AP

Queen Rania of Jordan arrives at Buckingham Palace with King Abdullah II (not shown). AP

Jordanian King Abdullah and Queen Rania arrive. AP

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim walks into the reception hosted by Britain's King Charles. AP

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive at the palace. AP

World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA

World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA

World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA

World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA

World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA

Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns

World leaders have attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles on the eve of the queen’s funeral.

Presidents, prime ministers and royals from around the globe came together as guests of the monarch for the event on Sunday evening.

About 500 people were hosted in the palace’s main state rooms, including US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden.

The couple arrived in the presidential car known as The Beast in the middle of a convoy of vehicles at the back of the palace shortly before 6pm.

Members of the president’s entourage mingled with household staff and police next to the palace lawn while the reception took place inside.

Up to 250 leaders were invited, with most bringing their spouses, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Rehearsal at dawn for Queen Elizabeth's funeral - in pictures

An early morning rehearsal took place on Thursday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. All photos: PA

The funeral will take place in London on Monday.

A procession down The Mall during the early morning rehearsal.

Members of the military take part.

The procession makes its way through central London as Big Ben looms.

Soldiers outside Westminster Abbey.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey.

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 Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester joined King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in mingling with guests.

Dozens of leaders of Commonwealth countries and members of foreign ruling families also attended the reception.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the reception and offered his deepest condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

At least 10 coaches arrived filled with guests who solemnly walked into the palace.

Some leaders were seen greeting each other while others remained silent as they walked up the steps.

Most of the guests were dressed in black, while some wore the traditional clothing of their countries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and president of the European Council Charles Michel arrived on coaches at the grand entrance.

They were joined by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who walked into the palace followed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The public pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster - in pictures

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as it lies in state inside Westminster Hall, London. AFP

People queue in Westminster Hall to pay their respects. Getty

Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall after a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth lies in Westminster Hall. PA

Long lines of mourners pass through Westminster Hall. AP

Queen Elizabeth will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday. AFP

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was also among guests at the event, which took place across the picture gallery, the white drawing room, the blue drawing room and the music room.

Guests arriving in their own vehicles and going through the Bow Room entrance at the back of the palace included the Bidens, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and President of Israel Isaac Herzog.

President of Ireland Michael Higgins arrived on a coach with the former King and Queen Consort of Spain, Juan Carlos and Sofia.

They joined dozens of other dignitaries who went in the grand entrance at the front of the palace.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace - in pictures

King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

Queen Elizabeth lies in state in Westminster Hall before the public is allowed in to pay their respects. Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk in the procession as it arrives at Westminster Hall. AP

Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. AP

The choir performs at Westminster Hall. Reuters

A view of the London skyline during the procession of the coffin. AP

Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Hall. AP

The imperial state crown sits on top of the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. Getty Images

The coffin is laid to rest in Westminster Hall. Getty Images

Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Edward follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. PA

A woman wipes away tears as she joins people sitting in Hyde Park. AP

Life Guards, a unit of the Household Cavalry, stand guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry depart after the procession. Getty Images

The coffin is carried down The Mall. PA

A man overcome with emotion in Hyde Park. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA

Mourners watch the procession at Hyde Park. Getty Images

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, adorned with the royal standard and the imperial state crown, and pulled by a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace in London. AFP

The procession leaves Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. PA

The imperial state crown on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is driven behind the coffin. AFP

King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin. Getty

The cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace. Getty

Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin. AP

Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Royal Navy soldiers march ahead of the procession near Big Ben. Getty

Coldstream Guards prepare outside Buckingham Palace, before the ceremonial procession. PA

King Charles waves to the crowds after leaving Clarence House in central London, before the procession. AFP

Crowds gather along The Mall. Reuters

Members of the Life Guards leave Wellington Barracks ahead of the procession. AP

Mourners gather to watch the procession in Hyde Park. Getty

A mourner at The Mall decorated with images of Queen Elizabeth. PA

Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace. AFP

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in their own vehicle at the grand entrance and were followed by their son, Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, who also took his own vehicle.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, arrived moments later.

World leaders and royals pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II - video

Bahraini King Hamad and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad also joined the guests, and the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad, soon followed.

Sultan Haitham of Oman was also seen arriving at the palace.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark were among those arriving on coaches.

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: five facts you may not know - video