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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Rachel Hagan

Joe Biden LEAVES and heads back to the US just two hours after Queen's funeral

US President Joe Biden left the UK just hours after he was seated in Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Biden and First Lady Jill Biden boarded Air Force One from London's Stansted Airport on a flight heading to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, in the US.

The president’s plane took off at 2.30pm local time, roughly two and a half hours after the end of the late Queen’s funeral service.

He was among some 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries coming to London for a remarkable gathering of world leaders.

Mr Biden said his impression of the late Queen was “the same in person ... as her image: decent, honourable, and all about service”.

Biden boards Air Force One to return to Washington after attending the funeral of the Queen (REUTERS)

The Bidens arrived in London late on Saturday.

Mr Biden sat at the rear of Westminster Abbey, 14 rows back, for the funeral.

He was seated next to President Duda of Poland and in front of Petr Fiala, the prime minister of the Czech Republic.

Ms Biden sat next to President Cassis of Switzerland and Mr Biden wore a black suit with an American flag pin, a white handkerchief in his pocket and held his glasses in his hand.

The First Lady wore a black skirt suit with bejewelled buttons and a simple black headband.

Biden arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (PA)

The pair joined 2,000 or so further attendees, who were led by King Charles and other members of the Royal Family to commemorate the late Queen's life.

The US President said the late Queen reminded her of his mother and it was the greatest honour of his life to have met her.

He said: "Just because of the way she touched when she leaned over. The way she had that look, like, 'are you okay? Anything I can do for you? What do you need?' and then also 'make sure you do what you are supposed to do'.

They enter the Westminster Abbey (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"To all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you and you were fortunate to have had her for 70 years. We all were. The world is better for her."

Mr Biden was due to meet with British Prime Minister Liz Truss but the meeting was rescheduled for later this week when both Mr Biden and Ms Truss are scheduled to be in New York for the UN General Assembly.

He said Queen Elizabeth II's loss leaves a giant hole.

He continued: "Sometimes you'll think you'll never overcome it. But as I've told the King, she's going to be with him every step of the way."

Ms Biden wrote: "Queen Elizabeth II lived her life for the people she served with wisdom and grace. We will never forget her warmth, kindness, and the conversations we shared."

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