Joe Biden arrives at Westminster Abbey to bid final farewell to the Queen at state funeral
JOE Biden and his wife Jill have joined hundreds of world leaders arriving at Westminster Abbey to attend the Queen’s funeral.
The US President and First Lady made it to the church this morning after a bumpy journey saw them caught up in central London traffic.
Mr Biden and wife Jill touched down in London on Sunday ahead of today’s huge ceremony in Westminster.
To reduce congestion, some world leaders arrived at the funeral on shuttle busses organised by the British government.
Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and the Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were among those swapping swanky private vehicles for a humble group trip.
But Mr Biden was given a special exemption by the Foreign Office to be taken in his bulletproof limo dubbed ‘The Beast’.
As the car drove past thousands of spectators through London this morning it almost ground to a halt by the Pret A Manger on Great Cumberland Place.
Police ushered excited members of the public away as they tried to get a closer look at the President stuck in traffic.
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Yesterday Mr and Mrs Biden visited Westminster Hall to pay their respects to Her Majesty as she lay in state.
The US President crossed himself while looking sorrowfully towards the late monarch's coffin.
Mr Biden also visited Lancaster House where he signed a book of condolence.
The US president said the "world is better" because of the Queen.
"To all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you," he said.
"You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years, we all were. The world is better for her."
Biden described the Queen as "decent" and "honest" - and compared her to his own mother.
He said: "She had that look which said 'are you ok, is there anything I can do for you, what do you need'."
Around 500 foreign dignitaries from across the globe descended on Westminster Abbey this morning to say a final goodbye to the Queen.
The late monarch met with 13 of the last 14 US presidents during her incredible 70-year reign.