Joe Biden offers condolences on Queen to King Charles and ‘wish to continue a close relationship’
President Joe Biden in a call with King Charles III offered his condolences on Queen Elizabeth II’s death as well as his hopes to continue a ‘close relationship’.
The White House on Wednesday provided a readout of the call, as the Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Hall to lie in state until her funeral.
‘The President recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June,’ states the readout.
‘He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.’
It concludes: ‘President Biden conveyed his wish to continue a close relationship with the King.’
The Queen had a special relationship with the US over her 70-year reign, having met nearly every American president since Dwight D Eisenhower.
Biden’s remarks were shared as the Queen, who died on Thursday, left Buckingham Palace for the last time. King Charles walked behind the coffin with his sister, the Princess Royal and his brothers Princes Andrew and Edward.
The president and First Lady Jill Biden received individual invitations to the Queen’s funeral, which will take place on September 19 at Westminster Abbey.
They were not asked to assemble a US delegation, as officials said the guest list will be very limited due to the many people expected to attend. The White House on Sunday said the Bidens formally accepted the invitation.
On the day of the Queen’s death, President Biden released a two-page statement on behalf of himself and the first lady, praising her as ‘more than a monarch’.
‘She defined an era,’ he stated.
Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates
- What happens next following the death of the Queen?
- How long are the queues to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall likely to be?
- Map shows how queue to see Queen’s coffin will snake through streets of London
- Nationwide minute's silence for The Queen at 8pm on Sunday
Follow Metro.co.uk's live blog for the latest updates, and sign Metro.co.uk's book of condolence to Her Majesty here.
‘In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her.
‘The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.’
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