Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin and meet King Charles III in London on Saturday as people from around the world gather ahead of the queen’s funeral.
The royal family confirmed that King Charles met Trudeau as well as Anthony Albanese of Australia, Philip Davis of the Bahamas, Andrew Holness of Jamaica and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern.
The press release included a photo of Trudeau and King Charles sitting in front of a fireplace.
The king’s office also confirmed that he met with governors-general from around the world at a lunch reception.
Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, attended the Queen’s funeral earlier in the day and signed a book of condolence for the late monarch.
Live feed footage from Westminster Hall briefly showed Trudeau and his wife as they paused next to the Queen’s flag-draped coffin.
Trudeau is one of dozens of world leaders in London ahead of Monday’s royal funeral.
Canada’s delegation to London also includes Governor Mary Simon and her husband, former governors Michaëlle Jean and David Johnston, as well as former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper.
Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders will also attend the funeral, as will several Order of Canada recipients, including former swimmer Mark Tewksbury and actress Sandra Oh.
World leaders and members of the public are gathering in London ahead of Monday’s funeral.
On Saturday, people could already be seen setting up camping chairs to stake out high points along the flag-flagged road leading to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen’s coffin will be passed in a military procession after Monday’s funeral.
Crowds were also thick around Buckingham Palace and Green Park, where people paid floral tributes to the Queen.
The gate to Green Park was closed on Saturday morning, causing confusion as hundreds of people were stuck on a narrow path outside the barricade.
The government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also announced on Saturday afternoon that the queue for members of the public to see the Queen lie in state was up to 11 hours from 5pm, down from 24 hours earlier on day.
The accessible line, for people with reduced mobility, was permanently closed after reaching capacity, the department said on Twitter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on September 17, 2022.
