The world is better for Queen Elizabeth, says Joe Biden

Joe Biden has led international leaders in paying heartfelt homage to the Queen as a who’s who of world power and politics ­assembled to farewell the late monarch.

Joe Biden and wife Jill sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London. Picture: Getty Images

Joe Biden has led international leaders in paying heartfelt homage to the Queen as a who’s who of world power and politics ­assembled to farewell the late monarch at Westminster Abbey.

Before arriving for the funeral in his own armoured limousine, having shunned the bus put on for other heads of state, the US President declared that her loss “leaves a giant hole”.

Mr Biden voiced his admiration for the Queen after viewing her coffin in Westminster Hall, where it had lay in state prior to the service in the nearby abbey. He made a sign of the cross and placed a hand on his heart in ­reverence.

“To all the people of England, all the people in the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you. You were fortunate to have had (her) for 70 years – we all were,” Mr Biden said. “The world’s better for her.”

He said he had told the new King: “She’s going to be with him every step of the way.”

Mr Biden, accompanied by wife Jill, was among the invited leaders who took a private ­moment to pay their respects to the Queen ahead of the glittering formality of her pomp-filled ­funeral. He was the 13th US president to have met her as sovereign.

He followed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Singapore President Halimah Yacob, Emmanuel Macron of France and Irish President ­Michal D. Higgins in viewing her flag-draped coffin in Westminster Hall.

Ms Ardern shared a private moment with the Queen in 2018 when, pregnant with her daughter Neve, she had sought regal ­advice on juggling work with motherhood.

“So I said to her, ‘How did you manage?’” Ms Ardern told the BBC. “She just said, ‘Well, you just get on with it’. And that was actually probably the best and most factual advice I could have.”

Canada’s Justin Trudeau said he treasured his time in the Queen’s company. “Her presence throughout my life has been constant, inspiring and graceful,” he said. “As Prime Minister, I benefited from her counsel, thoughtfulness and curiosity, her sense of humour.”

Mr Macron and wife Brigitte went low-key, donning sunglasses and runners to pay their respects at Westminster Hall, and then presented a picture book of the Queen’s visits to France to King Charles at a state reception at Buckingham Palace.

After a flurry of engagements including an audience with the King and one-on-one meetings with recently installed British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Mr Trudeau, Anthony Albanese rubbed shoulders with the great and the good at the funeral-eve drinks at the palace, billed as the largest gathering of world leaders this century. Mr Biden was a closely watched attendee.

Among others were Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal. The war-torn nation’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, had an audience with the Princess of Wales.

Leaders signing the book of condolences at Lancaster House included the presidents of Bul­garia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Hun­gary and Poland, as well as the prime ministers of Fiji, Lebanon, Jamaica and Serbia.

Prince Andrew, temporarily reprieved from banishment from royal duties over his friendship with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, paid emotional tribute to his mother, saying in a statement: “Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever.”