On the Foreign Scene
Thousands of police, hundreds of British troops and an army of officials made final preparations on Sunday for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II — a spectacular display of national mourning that will also be the biggest gathering of world leaders for years.
Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders have flown into London for the funeral, to which around 500 royals, heads of state and heads of government from around the globe have been invited.
As the dignitaries poured in, the clock ticked down for those seeking a place in most massive queue any of them have ever seen to file past the queen’s coffin as it laid in state at Westminster Hall. The miles-long queue was closed to new arrivals late Sunday evening so that everyone in line can view the coffin before Monday morning, when it will be taken to Westminster Abbey for the queen’s funeral.
Family by family, thousands of people kept lining up around the clock, braving chilly overnight temperatures and waits of up to 17 hours in a queue that stretched for over 8 kilometers.
Among the foreign leaders in London was New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who told the BBC she was humbled to represent her nation at the funeral and to witness the national outpouring of grief and respect for the late queen.
Today, Monday has been declared a public holiday, and the funeral will be broadcast to a huge television audience worldwide and screened to crowds in parks and public spaces across the country.
Queen Elizabeth the second died Sept. 8 at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne.
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