The funeral service for the late Queen Elizabeth II is being held today in the United Kingdom.
The landmark event at the Westminster Abbey in London has seen numerous of leaders from around the world arrive at the invitation of King Charles III.
In an interesting turn, however, all heads of state and royals were billed to appear at the Westminster Abbey via a bus with the exception of the US president, Joe Biden who was driven in his office’s official vehicle, ‘The Beast’.
Though this move raised some eyebrows, it was followed through.
These leaders are there to commiserate with the British people and pay their last respect to the former head of the Commonwealth.
The queen died on Thursday, September 8 at age 96.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid their respects at Queen Elizabeth’s lying-in-state in London’s Westminster Hall https://t.co/eXjzBBGzPd pic.twitter.com/H48DgWkXqJ
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 18, 2022
Some of the images that have popped up so far include a coach full of African leaders including the Kenyan President, William Ruto and President of Tanzania, President Samia Suluhu.
President Ruto and other world leaders arrive in a bus at Buckingham Palace in the UK to attend a state reception in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
Courtesy pic.twitter.com/8c32cmof7Z— K24 TV (@K24Tv) September 19, 2022
Below are more visuals from the ceremony.
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrive at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral https://t.co/vzkzceLCY6 pic.twitter.com/ei3gH9tW9p
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 19, 2022
Ghana has arrived at the queens funeral. #QueenElizabethIIMemorial
First lady and Prez Akufo Addo. pic.twitter.com/LAmij52qrP— Shamima Muslim (@shamimamuslim) September 19, 2022
The King, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips have arrived at Westminster Hall to witness The Queen’s coffin be moved by the bearer party. pic.twitter.com/uwNFnQCqgk
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) September 19, 2022
Prime Ministers of the Realm arrive at The Queen’s State Funeral. pic.twitter.com/xuiaPb72gj
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) September 19, 2022
President Joe Biden has arrived at the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/JosSFORgVy pic.twitter.com/VW8vKlzw4T
— CNN (@CNN) September 19, 2022
The busses pulled up, and the world leaders flocked inside Buckingham Palace.
Kings, Queens, Emperors, Sultans, Sheikhs, Presidents, Prime Ministers – they are all here.
Queues, busses and royalty – it is all so very British. pic.twitter.com/raUQNAAcHX
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) September 18, 2022