Biden reveals what he said to King Charles III after paying his respects to Queen Elizabeth II

This Sunday, President Joe Biden paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth II while she was lying in state.

The president and first lady, Jill Biden, were among thousands of mourners, from locals and tourists to royalty and world leaders, to pay their respects at Westminster Hall. President Biden made the sign of the cross and placed his hand over his heart as he stood silently near the casket with his wife and US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Jane Hartley.

Biden reveals what he said to King Charles III after paying his respects to Queen Elizabeth II

After signing the official book of condolences at Lancaster House in London, President Biden shared his memories of Queen Elizabeth, saying he comforted King Charles III by telling him that ”she will be with him every step of the way, every minute, every moment.” President Biden is known for his tender touch, particularly when people are mourning. Sadly the Biden family has much experience dealing with the loss of close family members.

“We’ve had the opportunity to meet with a lot of important people, but I can tell you that the ones that stand out in your mind are those whose relationship and interaction with you is consistent with your reputation,” Biden said.

Biden remembers his meetings with Queen Elizabeth II fondly

The US President also reminisced about a tea he had with the Queen, where she “took us to the castle for tea and, jokingly, scones, she kept offering me more; I kept eating whatever she put in front of me, but she was the same in person… just like the picture of her: decent, honorable, and all about service.”

Additionally, the president was asked by a reporter if he saw any similarities between the Queen and his mother. President Biden said that the parallels had much to do with the way the two women interacted with those around them, “she had that look like, ‘Are you okay? Can I do something for you? What do you need?’ And then also, ‘Make sure you do what you’re supposed to do.’”

President Biden also spoke about what he learned from her leadership, saying that she was a figure that provided “a sense of, perhaps most of all, the notion of service. We all owe something. There is something within our capacity that can make things, not only the world better, but also your neighborhood better, your home better, your workplace better.”