Thousands of mourners have paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Her funeral is on Monday, September 19 and police and British troops have been preparing all week.
US President Joe Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, are among the mourners that arrived in London. President Biden and Jill visited the casket at Westminster Hall, where the Queen was laying in state.
Five hundred world leaders and royals were invited to the funeral.
The line at Westminster Hall was miles-long as people came to view the Queen’s casket before it was taken to Westminster Abbey for the funeral. Thousands waited for hours to catch a glimpse. The casket was draped in the Queen’s Royal Standard and capped with a diamond-studded crown.
The Queen’s eight grandchildren held a silent vigil by the coffin on Saturday night, led by Prince William, who is heir to the throne after King Charles III. Prince William stood at the head of the casket and Prince Harry stood at the foot, both wearing military uniforms. It was a somber moment and the crowd witnessed it, as they moved past the coffin.
Charles’ sons were joined by Princess Anne’s children, Zara Tindall and Peter Philips; Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; and the two children of Prince Edward, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
On Friday night, a vigil was held by the Queen’s children – King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
On Friday a dramatic incident occurred when a man threw himself at the coffin. He was quickly tackled to the ground. Police identified the man as 28-year-old Muhammad Khan of London. He was charged by police for displaying behavior that was meant to “cause alarm, harassment or distress.” He is scheduled to face charges on Monday.