Despite the fact that all foreign dignitaries had been told by British authorities to leave their private cars and helicopters at home for the event, Joe Biden arrived at the Queen’s funeral in a massive motorcade.
The US President also got stuck in traffic on his way to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. His limousine, nicknamed “The Beast,” came to a halt in central London after being held up.
Moreover, the President appeared to be late for the funeral after refusing to arrive with the other heads of government.
Over 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries are attending today’s memorial service.
Mr Biden and his wife Jill appeared to be driving down Oxford Street when the vehicle came to a halt due to traffic.
Most world leaders were bused into Westminster Abbey to ease traffic congestion, but the White House insisted on Mr Biden arriving in his own motorcade for security reasons.
The couple could be seen waving to onlookers as they awkwardly waited for the car to start moving again.
Due to the funeral, a number of road closures were implemented in central London, with Mr Biden becoming stuck in traffic on one of the roads that remained open.
Other world leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, agreed to forego their usual security precautions to help ensure the funeral arrivals went smoothly.
Yesterday, the Bidens paid a visit to the Queen’s coffin, joining hundreds of thousands of people who filed past the late monarch as she lay in state. He then attended a reception at Buckingham Palace last night with King Charles and scores of other world leaders and royals from around the world.
Biden’s decision to drive his armoured car contradicts his climate commitments, as his motorcade includes not only a slew of cars, 4x4s, and motorcycles, but also his custom-made limousine.