Charles gets busy! New King meets FIVE heads of state including New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, Canada's Justin Trudeau and Australia's Anthony Albanese in one day
- Five heads of state were Jacinda Ardern, Justin Trudeau, Anthony Albanese, Andrew Holness and Phillip David
- He met with them in the 1844 room at Buckingham Palace this afternoon and sat and chatted with them
- Arrived in London yesterday and today ahead of the Queen's state funeral on Monday in Westminster Abbey
- Meeting came as he prepares to host 500 dignitaries at a Buckingham Palace reception tomorrow
By OLIVIA DEVEREUX-EVANS FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 04:34 AEST, 18 September 2022 | UPDATED: 05:00 AEST, 18 September 2022
King Charles III has met with five heads of state including New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, Canada's Justin Trudeau and Australia's Anthony Albanese in one day.
He also met with the PM of the Bahamas Philip David and the PM of Jamaica, Andrew Holness at the 1844 room in Buckingham Palace.
The five heads of state are from Commonwealth realms, 14 former colonies over which the new King reigns in addition to the United Kingdom.
Photographs show him shaking hands with the leaders this afternoon, while he was patted on the shoulder by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis.
Leaders including Jacinda Ardern clasped his hand as they greeted each other in Buckingham Palace.
King Charles sat down to speak to all of the leaders, who arrived in London yesterday and today ahead of the Queen's state funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday.
The King, who has been carrying out official duties while mourning his beloved mother, was also seen smiling and laughing with the heads of state.
Before their meeting with the King, the heads of state signed the official condolence book at Lancaster House and visited the Queen's laying in state.
Additionally, the new King met with Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He has served as Chief of the Air Staff since July 2019.
The meeting happened as he spoke with military chiefs of staff in the 1844 room this afternoon.
King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, as he receives realm prime ministers in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace
Britain's King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese as he met with five Commonwealth leaders
He sat down to speak to all of the leaders, who arrived in London yesterday and today ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday. Pictured: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada clasps his hand as they meet
Photographs show him shaking hands with the leaders, while he was patted on the shoulder by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, pictured
The King, who has been carrying out official duties while mourning his beloved mother, was also seen smiling and laughing with the heads of state. Pictured: The King shakes hands with the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness
The King's meetings with the leaders from the realms and the Chief Air Marshal came after a special lunch with the governors-general from the Commonwealth.
He was joined at the event by the Princess of Wales, Queen Consort, Prince of Wales, Earl of Wessex and Princess Royal.
The heads of state who met with Charles arrived in London ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday and are among 500 total dignitaries to be officially welcomed by King Charles III on Sunday at a reception.
Emperors, presidents and royal families will gather at Buckingham Palace from around 6pm for the reception.
Other guests expected to be at the reception include US President Joe Biden, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - Olena Zelenska - and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials reportedly sent 1,000 handwritten invitations - for both the reception and Monday's funeral - to heads of state to almost every country in the world bar Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Russia, Belarus and Myanmar.
Additionally, the new King met with Chief Air Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, pictured, the senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He has served as Chief of the Air Staff since July 2019
Jacinda Ardern stands with King Charles as they met in the 1844 room in Buckingham Palace this afternoon
New Zealand's Prime Minister was seen clutching Charles's hand as they met this afternoon, pictured
Pictured: Charles speaks with Sir Mike Wigston in the 1844 room during an audience with the Royal Air Force chief this afternoon
Earlier today, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss met Australian PM Anthony Albanese and New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern at the Government's Chevening country residence.
In advance of her talks with Ms Truss, Ms Ardern said the Queen's death and new King would be the "focus of conversation", and they were also likely to discuss Ukraine and the UK's free trade agreement with New Zealand.
It was thought the meeting between Ms Truss and Mr Albanese may also touch on trade, with the countries last year signing a deal estimated by the Government to be worth £2.3 billion to the UK economy.
Elsewhere, King Charles was earlier seen meeting large crowds of mourners waiting to go into the laying in state, as he did a walkabout on the South Bank.
As he shook hands with people, he was greeted with cheers of 'hip hip hooray' and 'God Save the King'.
He was joined on the walkabout with his son Prince William, as people took photographs and eagerly waited for a chat with the new King.
William later thanked royal fans for queueing for 14 hours to pay their respects to his grandmother, tweeting: 'It mean an awful lot that you're all here'.
One lady offered Charles condolences as he shook her hand, and another shouted: 'I can't believe this' - while a third presented the two royals with a Paddington Bear toy, in reference to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee sketch with the beloved children's character.
Britain's King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of the Bahamas Philip Davis
King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, as he receives realm prime ministers in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in London
Britain's King Charles III sits with Prime Minister of the Bahamas Philip Davis
As the prince shook the hands of mourners, he said: 'It means an awful lot you're here. She [the Queen] would never believe this. You'll make some friends for life [those who have met in crowd'. Revealing that his wife Kate Middleton and children George, Charlotte and Louis were 'ok' and 'all united in grief', William also said that he became emotional seeing his grandmother's corgis, adding: 'They are being looked after - they have gone to a very good home'.
Several people cried after meeting the Prince of Wales, and one woman told him: 'You'll be a brilliant king one day'.
Elsewhere, the Countess of Wessex hugged children and greeted thousands of well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace as she did a walkabout with husband Edward.
Royal fans applauded Sophie and Prince Edward and could be heard telling them 'sorry for your loss' as the couple shook the hands of dozens of mourners outside the palace gates this afternoon - shortly after King Charles III and the Prince of Wales met mourners queueing along the banks of the Thames to see the Queen lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster.
Britain's King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness this afternoon
King Charles III sits with Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese
The Queen's youngest son could be heard asking mourners where they had come from and whether they were making their way to Green Park to lay flowers. He then told them that the Queen would 'appreciate' the number of people paying their respects - while his wife was given bouquets and a stuffed toy as she shook hands with those gathered.
However, Edward apologised to well-wishers for not shaking their hands - and could be heard explaining after he he politely waved as he walked past them that he was trying to ensure he did not fall behind and could speak to as many people as possible.
The Countess stopped to look at one young girl's T-shirt, which was printed with photos of the Queen through the decades of her reign. Sophie collected armfuls of flowers including sunflowers and roses, and was given paper tributes to the late monarch by some of the well-wishers.
The couple also walked over to meet members of the public stood behind barriers on the edge of nearby Green Park.
Britain's King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness
King Charles III speaks with Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese
King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau
In an emotional statement released just hours before he attended a poignant vigil with his siblings the King, the Duke of York and the Princess Royal in Westminster Hall last night, the Earl of Wessex said: 'As a family, we have grown up learning to share our parents, especially our beloved mama, with the nation, her realms and the Commonwealth.
'While it has been lovely to have spent time saying our own farewell privately at Balmoral, it is now time to allow others to be able to say their farewell.'
Final preparations are under way for the funeral in two days, with 2,000 VIPs - from world leaders Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and Jacinda Ardern to royals including Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and the Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima - expected to arrive throughout the weekend.
It comes after the King and his siblings last night held a silent vigil in Westminster Hall to pay a moving tribute to their beloved mother.
The King told officers it is 'encouraging' that policing plans for Operation London Bridge are working during a visit to a Metropolitan Police base.
Britain's King Charles III sits with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau
King Charles III meets with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
King Charles III greets Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff during a meeting with military chiefs of staff at Buckingham Palace
Charles was given a tour of the Metropolitan Police Service Special Operations Room on Saturday, where he met and thanked emergency service workers for their efforts ahead of the funeral of the Queen and over the last nine days.
The Prince of Wales also briefly visited the Lambeth HQ, where he spoke to two police officers and thanked them for their service before departing in the same car as the King.
The pair later undertook a walkabout where they spoke to members of the public who were stood in the queue near Lambeth Palace to see the Queen's coffin.
During the visit to the police headquarters, the King was greeted on arrival in south London by Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Lord Lieutenant of Greater London Sir Ken Olisa before being given his tour by Sir Mark.
As his vehicle arrived, members of the public lined the streets and cheered, with several shouting 'God save the King' as he stepped out of his car.
King Charles III greets Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord, during a meeting with military chiefs of staff at Buckingham Palace in London
King Charles III greets Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord, during a meeting with military chiefs of staff at Buckingham Palace in London
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophe Trudeau sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London
During the visit, the King met and spoke with several police officers involved in the planning for Operation London Bridge, the codename for the plans put in place following the death of the Queen, as well as members of British Transport Police, London Ambulance Service, the Army and London Fire Brigade.
He was seen laughing and joking with staff and asked several questions to each worker about their role in the operation and thanked them for their service.
While speaking to the operation planning team, who also prepare the policing efforts at football matches and protests in the capital, the King asked them questions relating to the planning around Operation London Bridge.
He asked the officers: 'Have you been planning for a long time... or have you just been drafted in?'
One officer responded: 'Yes your Majesty, we've been planning for about three years. There were teams before us.'
He replied: 'And the plans are working?'
The officer said: 'They are, absolutely.'
'That's the most encouraging thing,' the King said, and began to chuckle.
Britain's King Charles visits Metropolitan Police Headquarters, following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth
David Hurley Governor-General of Australia signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House
He also questioned the staff about crime levels during the mourning period.
Referring to his time visiting the base, the King added: 'It's nice to know where it all happens. I've been here before - this is the absolute hub, isn't it?'
The officers replied that it was. The King then described their work as 'absolutely fantastic', adding: 'Thank you'.
After the King's visit, Mr Khan said it was 'lovely' to see him be 'incredibly inquisitive' with staff.
He told journalists: 'He was really keen to see for himself the hard work to keep our city safe, to keep His Majesty safe, the royal family safe, also there'll be hundreds of leaders from across the globe coming to London.
'It was lovely to have the King show that much interest. He went around meeting people, asking questions, listening to their answers, being incredibly inquisitive but also incredibly warm.
'What's remarkable about His Majesty the King is at a time when he is grieving, he's going about his business and leading from the front.
'I know from speaking to police officers from London, from across the country who are here helping us out, speaking to staff and other members of the team, how grateful they are for His Majesty to give up his time and come here today.'
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a lunch held for governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace in London
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Charles gets busy! New King meets FIVE heads of state in one day
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