Truss set to meet world leaders ahead of Queen’s funeral

Liz Truss is set to hold meetings with world leaders as they travel to the UK for the Queen’s funeral.

The Prime Minister will speak with counterparts from New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, with the conversations framed by No 10 as chats rather than formal bilateral meetings.

Downing Street suggested they would be an opportunity for condolences over the Queen’s death, with politics likely to come up.

The first meeting is at the Government’s Chevening country residence, rather than Chequers, which is said to be undergoing routine maintenance work after Boris Johnson’s exit.

Ms Truss will meet New Zealand’s premier Jacinda Ardern and Australian leader Anthony Albanese on Saturday.

Ms Ardern has said the Queen’s death and new King will be the “focus of conversation”, with the pair also likely to discuss Ukraine and the UK’s free trade agreement with New Zealand.

But all will be “within the context of the week of mourning that the UK is currently in”.

Queen’s grandchildren to hold vigil around coffin

The Queen’s grandchildren will stand guard around her coffin in London on Saturday, hours after their parents held an emotional vigil in the Palace of Westminster.

Notably, the Duke of Sussex will join his brother the Prince of Wales in wearing uniform around the coffin in Westminster Hall, ahead of the Queen’s state funeral on Monday.

Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has previously been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourns, because he is no longer a working royal. It comes after the Queen’s four children held a vigil on Friday evening.

Crowds urged not to join the queue for lying in state

Officials are urging people not to travel to join the queue whch is near capacity – with waiting times of at least 24 hours.

The Government tracker is urging people to check its tracker for updates.

However people were still seen joping the queue early on Saturday.