The date is not yet 100 percent certain, but many politicians around the world are already announcing their appearance at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. US President Biden wants to be there, as does EU Commission President von der Leyen.
Joe Biden wants to personally say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96. As CNN reports, he told reporters traveling with him at an appointment in the US state of Ohio that he wanted to be present at the funeral of the monarch. "I don't know what the details are yet, but I will go," Biden added.
It is not yet officially known when the funeral will take place. "In just over a week we will come together as a nation, as a commonwealth and indeed as a global community to bury my beloved mother," said King Charles III. in a speech Friday night. White House officials reportedly began making preparations for Biden's trip to the UK that same day. According to his own statement, Biden has not yet spoken to the king personally.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will also attend Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the EU Commission on Friday evening. Previously, EU Council chief Charles Michel had also promised. Both leaders had already expressed their condolences. "Allow me to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty, the royal family and the British people on behalf of the European Union," wrote EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a letter to King Charles III.
Joe Biden's statement following the news of the Queen's death said: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She marked an era." In addition, the US President and his wife looked back on mutual encounters: "We met the Queen for the first time in 1982 when we traveled to Great Britain as part of a Senate delegation. And we were honored that she met us in June 2021 during our first foreign voyage as President and First Lady, where she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared her wisdom with us." Her legacy will "play a huge role in the pages of British history and in the history of our world."
