President Biden in US to attend Queen's funeral

US President Joe Biden arrived in London on September 18 ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II the next day.

Biden is among some 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries coming to London for a gathering of world leaders not seen for decades, BBC reports.

As well as Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, other Commonwealth leaders expected to attend include Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. India will be represented by President Droupadi Murmu.

Many of the guests are expected to pay their respects to the Queen at her lying-in-state in Westminster Hall and sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House.

But the focus will be a formal state reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on September 18.

For many leaders, it will be their only chance to meet collectively and engage in some diplomacy.