WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden and his wife Jill left the United States for London on Saturday, where they will attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
The Queen died on September 8 after 70 years of reign, leaving the UK and parts of the world in mourning.
Elizabeth II had met 13 of the last 14 American presidents, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson. The Biden couple had tea with her in June 2021.
Joe Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with new British Prime Minister Liz Truss on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday in New York, rather than London, his office said on Saturday.
On Sunday, Joe and Jill Biden will pay their respects to the late sovereign, whose coffin lies in Westminster Hall. They will sign a register of condolences before attending a reception organized by King Charles III.
A hundred heads of state and government are expected Monday for the national funeral of Elizabeth II.
Joe Biden and his wife will return to Washington on Monday after the ceremony.
(Report Jeff Mason, with Andrea Shalal; French version Elizabeth Pineau)