(LONDON) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gathers in front of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during the Ardent Chapel in London on Saturday, two days before her official funeral. He is due to meet King Charles III later today.
Posted at 7:23 am.
Updated at 7:57 am
Trudeau arrived in London on Friday as part of a Canadian delegation that included Governor General Mary Simon, four former prime ministers and three national tribal leaders.
The Prime Minister paid a state visit to Westminster Hall at noon local time. Quietly, he gazed for a few seconds at the queen’s coffin, which sat from the rostrum reserved for foreign delegations. Mr. Trudeau was accompanied by his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
Moments later he went to Lancaster House to sign a book of obituaries for the Queen, who died a week ago aged 96.
In the afternoon local time, Mr. Trudeau will meet.
Last week, in Ottawa, after the new sovereign was proclaimed to the throne, Mr. Trudeau emphasized in a press release that “Canada has a longstanding relationship and close friendship with His Majesty King Charles III.”
“We are confident that his deep commitment to education, the environment and youth empowerment will provide him with a solid foundation to build upon as he continues to work for the betterment of the Commonwealth and its people,” the Prime Minister said.
In London on Saturday, thousands of people lined up to see the Queen’s coffin. Officials have warned that people in the queue could wait for 24 hours.
Streets around the Palace of Westminster were cordoned off with metal fences on Friday, and a large contingent of police from across the UK was already leading crowds who had come to pay their respects to the Queen.
Security has been beefed up ahead of the funeral on Monday. Besides dozens of other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, hundreds of thousands of “ordinary citizens” are expected to attend the funeral as closely as possible.
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