King Philippe and Queen Mathilde pay final salute to Queen Elizabeth

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde paid a final salute at the coffin of Britain's late Queen Elizabeth on Sunday. The Belgian royal couple will also attend the funeral on Monday.

Several heads of state and government went to greet the coffin on Sunday at Westminster Hall, the oldest hall in the British Parliament building in London.

Among them were US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish King Felipe and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

King Charles also received more than 200 foreign leaders at Buckingham Palace on Sunday evening for his first major diplomatic meeting as king.

The guestslist for Queen Elizabeth's funeral on Monday includes several other European royals, such as the Dutch royal couple Willem-Alexander and Máxima. US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill will also be in attendance, as will German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Commonwealth delegations will also be there. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will take the leaders of at least four Pacific island states on his government jet.

(BRV)

© PHOTO SARAH MEYSSONNIER / POOL / AFP