Australian PM Anthony Albanese visits Queen lying in state

Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese has been pictured during a solemn moment visiting the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.

Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese has been pictured during a solemn moment visiting the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.

The PM and his partner Jodie Haydon, along with Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda, were ushered into Westminster Hall on Saturday night AEST to pay their respects to the former monarch.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and girlfriend Jodie Haydon pay their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall, Saturday 17 September, 2022.

Mr Albanese arrived in London overnight ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

In the lead up to the funeral, Mr Albanese and other world leaders will meet King Charles.

Mr Albanese said he would pass on the country’s sincere condolences to the new Monarch as he goes through such a difficult time.

“This is of course the loss of the Monarch for Commonwealth nations that have had Queen Elizabeth as our Head of State,” he said while speaking to reporters.

“But for him it’s the loss of his mother as well, coming so soon after the loss of his father … so there is a very personal dimension.”

Mr Albanese is meeting Britain’s Prime Minister Liz Truss today, London time, before having his audience with King Charles III in the afternoon at Buckingham Palace.

His first public act upon arriving in London was placing flowers near an Australian flag in Green Park, which is located in central London near Buckingham Palace.

Paying our respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/kAE28ZU9uo

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 16, 2022

The pair were surrounded by hundreds of other mourners still grieving the Queen’s death.

“It’s a great honour to be representing Australia here,” Mr Albanese said.

“Quite clearly, what we can see all around us is the affection in which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was held by people here in the United Kingdom, but also of course in Australia and right around the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth gave a life of service.

“It was a life of dignity. It’s a life that brought great respect from the world’s citizens, but in particular Australia. It has been an honour to leave a tribute for Queen Elizabeth here.”

— with NCA NewsWire