Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns
President Joe Biden led US tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at age 96 on Thursday, with a visit to the British embassy in Washington.
"We mourn for all of you," Mr Biden said during his visit with first lady Jill Biden to sign a condolences book.
"She was a great lady. We were so delighted we got to meet her."
Queen Elizabeth met nearly every president during her seven-decade reign. The one president whom the monarch did not meet during her lifetime was Lyndon B Johnson, who held office from 1963 to 1969.
Her first encounter with a US president came in 1951. Still a princess, she met president Harry Truman in Washington, where she presented him and first lady Bess Truman with an overmantel for the newly renovated White House.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era,” Mr Biden said in a statement before an evening visit to the embassy.
“The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity."
The president has directed "that the [American] flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations" until sunset on the day of the queen's interment.
Mr Biden was most recently received by Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle in June 2021 as part of his visit to the UK for the Group of Seven Summit in Cornwall.
At Windsor Castle, the Bidens were greeted with a guard of honour and tea.
Barack Obama paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth's warmth and kindness.
In his and former first lady Michelle Obama's commendation of the queen, they thanked her for a welcome in the beginning of his presidency.
“Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us,” Mr Obama wrote.
“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as president and first lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity."
Mr Obama is the only US president to be invited back to Windsor Castle after he was out of office.
Donald Trump, who visited the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2018, said she will “reign forever in our hearts”. He added that he and former first lady Melania Trump will never forget her "generous friendship, great wisdom and wonderful sense of humour”.
“What a grand and beautiful lady she was — there was nobody like her!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Queen Elizabeth II meets celebrities - in pictures
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US actress Marilyn Monroe and actor Victor Mature meet the British monarch at the Empire Theatre in London. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth II meets actor Charlie Chaplin at the Empire Theatre in London. Getty -
She meets actress Veronica Hurst and actor Rock Hudson at the Royal Film Performance in London in 1952. Getty -
Frank Sinatra is presented to Queen Elizabeth at a movie premiere. PA -
The queen with US actress Jayne Mansfield and British actor Stanley Baker at the Odeon Theatre in London. AP -
Queen Elizabeth meets actor Rex Harrison and his wife Rachel Roberts at the premiere of 'Dr Dolittle' in London. Getty -
Mother Teresa receives the Insignia of the Honorary Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth in New Delhi. AP -
South African leader Nelson Mandela with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. AP -
The queen meets Spice Girls members Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth with US performer Jennifer Lopez in London. Getty -
The monarch with pop star Madonna at London's Albert Hall. WireImage -
Queen Elizabeth greets actor Sir Roger Moore at Windsor Castle. Getty -
She shakes hands with US singer Lady Gaga in Blackpool, England. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth meets US actress and singer Bette Midler. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth at Wimbledon with tennis stars Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. Getty -
UK tennis player Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland meet the queen at Wimbledon. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with with Pope Benedict XVI at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which was her official residence in Scotland. Getty -
She meets actor Rowan Atkinson and actress Gillian Anderson at Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth presents artist David Hockney with the Order of Merit at Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth speaks to actresses Joan Collins and Kate O'Mara and singer Shirley Bassey. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth and musician Gary Barlow on stage during the diamond jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. Getty -
From left, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney meet the monarch after a diamond jubilee event. Getty -
The queen takes part in a spoof of James Bond alongside actor Daniel Craig for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012. AFP -
Queen Elizabeth greets singer Andrea Bocelli. Getty -
The queen meets Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding from pop group Girls Aloud. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth greets singer Kylie Minogue. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth receives an honorary Bafta from actor Kenneth Branagh at Windsor Castle. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth meets 'Star Wars' director George Lucas at Windsor Castle. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth speaks to British actor Christopher Lee. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth with actress Carey Mulligan and actor James Nesbitt. Getty -
She speaks to director Tom Hooper and actor Eddie Redmayne. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth greets singer Sir Rod Stewart during a reception for the Royal National Institute for the Blind at St James's Palace. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth watches Dame Helen Mirren perform a speech from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. Getty -
The queen with actress Gemma Arterton at Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Actress Angelina Jolie is presented with the Insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth greets singer Annie Lennox at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth with 'Vogue' editor Anna Wintour. AP -
Queen Elizabeth meets British singer Liam Payne at Westminster Abbey. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth meets former England footballer David Beckham at Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth talks to British boxer Anthony Joshua. Getty -
Queen Elizabeth ll meets Liz Taylor and husband John Warner at a gala dinner in 1976 in Washington. Getty Images -
Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Dionne Warwick serenaded the queen on her 1983 California visit and George Burns acted as master of ceremonies. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip join Nancy Reagan during a red carpet celebrity-filled event at 20th Century Fox studios on February 27, 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Former president Bill Clinton, who toured Buckingham Palace with wife Hillary Clinton in 1995 and 2000, said they will “always be grateful for the kindness she showed”.
Jimmy Carter, another former president who visited Buckingham Palace in 1977, said the queen's grace and dignity were an inspiration.
Visiting Buckingham Palace produced some of the fondest memories for former president George Bush, who recalled having tea with the queen and her beloved corgis.
“Our world benefited from her steady resolve and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign. Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship,” Mr Bush said.
Speaking on the Senate floor earlier on Thursday morning, Republican leader Mitch McConell heralded Queen Elizabeth as “an exemplar of steady leadership” who “changed the world”.
Bob Menendez, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, recalled how Congress was “honoured” to host her joint address in 1991.
“Her meaningful engagement with American leaders from President Truman to President Biden and her commitment to our countries' special relationship greatly contributed to the enduring friendship between our nations,” Mr Menendez said.
Additional reporting by Patrick deHahn
