Queen’s funeral: ‘Emotional’ Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon arrive at Westminster Abbey

Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon have arrived at London’s Westminister Abbey as the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II gets underway.

The Australian Prime Minister arrived looking emotional, flanked by his partner just over half an hour before the service.

He joined a host of Commonwealth and world leaders who arrived at Westminister Abbey via coach, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

They are among 2,000 dignitaries attending the state funeral for Her Majesty, who died 10 days ago at Balmoral Castle aged 96. 

‘What a moment for that man there, our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He looks quite emotional, doesn’t he?’ Allison Langdon commented during Channel Nine’s coverage.

Ms Ardern was also accompanied by her partner, fiancé and television presenter Clarke Gayford.

Jodie Haydon and her partner Australian Prime Minister arrived at Westminster Abbey around 10.30am London time looking sombre 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was accompanied by fiancé Clarke Gayford as she arrived for the Queen's funeral

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was accompanied by fiancé Clarke Gayford as she arrived for the Queen’s funeral 

The New Zealand leader wore a classic black tailored dress from Kiwi designer Juliette Hogan – a favourite of Ms Ardern. 

The dress had a high neckline and modest split at the back which was teamed with custom Kiri Nathan feather Kākahu 

Ms Ardern said she wore the prestigious traditional Māori cloak because she wanted to bring a ‘piece of New Zealand’ to the funeral.

Her royal-inspired hat was designed by milliner Monika Neuhauser. 

Two hours before the funeral, Mr Albanese shared a photo clutching the hand of his partner Ms Haydon as they headed to Westminster together.

‘I will attend the state funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Audiences around the world watch the procession, he tweeted.

He has met with dozens Australians on the streets of London ahead of the funeral since arriving on Saturday.

It’s been quite extraordinary. But wherever you go, there are huge numbers of people on the street around Buckingham Palace,’ Albanese told 2GB on Monday night.

‘Last night, there were tens of thousands of people, as far as you could see, just essentially watching buses going to the entrance of Buckingham Palace.

Mr Albanese was the first world leader to set off for the Queen’s funeral from Sydney last Thursday night and arrived early Saturday morning London time. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured arriving at the Queen funeral with his partner) is among 2,000 dignitaries in attendance

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured arriving at the Queen funeral with his partner) is among 2,000 dignitaries in attendance

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured arriving with her fiance) wore a classic black tailored dress from Kiwi designer Juliette Hogan

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured arriving with her fiance) wore a classic black tailored dress from Kiwi designer Juliette Hogan

Mr Albanese joined by ‘everyday Australians’ extended an invitation, including Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott and horse trainer Gai Waterhouse. 

Senior Australian of the Years Valmai Dempsy and Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, Local Heroes Shanna Whan, Saba Abraham, and Kim Smith, Young Australian of the Year Trudy Lin, Western Australian of the Year Helen Milroy, and i4give founder Danny Abdallah were also invited.

Other Australians attending the funeral include Governor-General Sir David Hurley and his wife Linda, along with Victoria Cross recipients Ben Roberts Smith, Mark Donaldson and Daniel Keighran.

The Queen was patron of the association since it began in 1956, and asked before her death that all living members be invited to her funeral. 

Anthony Albanese arrives at Westminster Abbey in London for the Queen's state funeral

Anthony Albanese arrives at Westminster Abbey in London for the Queen’s state funeral

King Charles III and his grief-stricken family have surrounded the Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in Westminster Abbey in a moving and majestic farewell to the late monarch today.

Her Majesty made her final and saddest journey to Westminster Abbey from Westminster Hall as Britain mourned its longest-serving monarch and the royals bade goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her coffin was placed close to the altar with her crown, orb and sceptre on its top surrounded by flowers chosen by the King from gardens she loved. The Archbishop of Canterbury then hailed the Queen’s ‘abundant life and loving service’ as he delivered the sermon at her state funeral, adding: ‘She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives.’

Prince Charles looked tearful while his sister looked at him with concern and care before fixing her own stare on her mother’s coffin and crown.

The UK’s most important church, packed with 2,000 VIPs including prime ministers, presidents and the Queen’s family, was serene aside from the sound of hymns and prayers in a funeral service Her Majesty has curated herself before she died.

Australian Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is also among the attendees

Australian Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is also among the attendees

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried into Westminster Abbey for her funeral

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried into Westminster Abbey for her funeral

On an highly emotional occasion for Britain and the world, the Queen was carried in her oak coffin to the gun carriage used by her parents and was followed through Parliament Square by her son, the King, and her relatives including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex. Andrew, the Duke of York, appeared to be crying. Outside the Abbey an estimated 2million people are in central London along procession routes and watching on big screens.

The State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin began its funeral procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey at around 10.45am, arriving just before 11am. A single toll from Big Ben signalled the start of the service at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. Her Majesty will be laid to rest at Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.

Despite the huge crowds, there was absolute silence as around 200 pipers and drummers of Scottish and Irish Regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and RAF played as the procession went through Parliament Square. The Queen’s own piper played a lament that echoed through the heart of London.

Walking behind the carriage were the King and his siblings, followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips. The State Gun Carriage has also been previously used for the funerals of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Winston Churchill, and Lord Mountbatten.

Nine-year-old Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte arrive at Westminster Abbey for their great-grandmother's funeral

Nine-year-old Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte arrive at Westminster Abbey for their great-grandmother’s funeral

There was complete silence from the crowd close to Parliament Square, as the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin slowly moved past. The crowd, momentarily still and with phones held aloft to capture the moment, was around 10-people thick in places, as tens of thousands thronged the streets to say goodbye to the monarch and witness a moment of history.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consort, with the Princess of Wales arriving with them. They arrived at the church shortly after some of the Queen’s grandchildren including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

World leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron arrived at Westminster Abbey around an hour before the service began. The congregation of 2,000 sat in solemn silence as Her Majesty arrived.

King Charles III and Princess Anne follow the gun carriage carrying his late mother Queen Elizabeth II

King Charles III and Princess Anne follow the gun carriage carrying his late mother Queen Elizabeth II

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