King hosts overseas heads of states at Buckingham Palace on coronation eve

The King has hosted heads of state from around the world at a Buckingham Palace reception on the eve of the coronation.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence also greeted their overseas guests at the event.

Completing the royal contingent were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

King Charles III coronation
The Princess of Wales speaks with the First Lady of the United States, Dr Jill Biden at Buckingham Palace (Jacob King/PA) 

Among the guests were First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, who was seen speaking animatedly with Kate.

Meanwhile, Charles was photographed sharing warm words with the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, and greeting Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek.

King Charles III coronation
The King greets Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, during a reception at Buckingham Palace (Jacob King/PA) 

Earlier, the King was joined by realm prime ministers and governors general for a Buckingham Palace lunch.

There were 42 at the event, including the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, and prime minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins.

King Charles III coronation
The Princess of Wales speaks talks to guests (Jacob King/PA) 

Mr Sunak was laughing and chatting with guests while the Princess of Wales, wearing a white dress, spoke to leaders including Mr Albanese and Mr Hipkins.

Kate could be heard chatting about the weather, which is expected to be wet on Saturday.

King's coronation
The Princess of Wales speaks to New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins (Toby Melville/PA)

The meeting came after Charles, William and Kate pleased crowds on The Mall with a surprise walkabout.

Charles mingled with leaders at the meeting before they all gathered in the garden for a group photograph with the Commonwealth mace.

King's coronation
The Prince of Wales during the reception (Toby Melville/PA)

French president Emmanuel Macron, the presidents of Germany and Italy, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Sergio Mattarella, and Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif will be among those in Westminster Abbey.

Chinese vice-president Han Zheng, who presided over a civil liberties crackdown in Hong Kong, is also on the King’s guest list, a move described as “outrageous” by Conservative MPs.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –