Stuff reporter Andrea Vance was inside Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral. Stuff senior reporters Andrea Vance and Iain McGregor are in London.
Jacinda Amey, holder of the New Zealand cross, followed in the procession. Just under an hour before the service got underway, eminent New Zealanders took part in a procession through the 1000-year-old church. They were joined by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, grief etched on her face as she entered the abbey, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Among the flowers was a card, handwritten with the simple message: “In loving and devoted memory. Inside the abbey, King Charles and Camilla the Queen Consort followed immediately behind. Apart from just the noise of a ceremonial sword hitting the side of a chair or something like that.” But during the hour-long service on Monday, her thoughts turned to the Royal family. It's very humbling to just see the outpouring of everyday people. On top was the Royal Standard, Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign's orb and sceptre. It was very humbling to be here on behalf of New Zealand. “The sound was just extraordinary,” she said. She was also struck by the musical strains echoing through the 13th-century church.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford attend the State Funeral Service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey in London ...
they really felt the overwhelming sense of sadness from a family. She was a woman in leadership who was raising a family. ["Kiingi Tūheitia was distinctly struck by the sadness and the gravity of the occasion for the family" - Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds duration 4:12](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018859422/maori-king-pays-respects-to-queen) ["Kiingi Tūheitia was distinctly struck by the sadness and the gravity of the occasion for the family" - Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018859422/maori-king-pays-respects-to-queen) "She was present through such change ... someone who really did forge her own path" - PM Jacinda Ardern](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018859421/jacinda-ardern-farewells-the-queen) someone who really did forge her own path" - PM Jacinda Ardern duration 7:11](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018859421/jacinda-ardern-farewells-the-queen) ["She was present through such change ...
"When you think about leaders who have been in that position… there were so few to look to," Ardern said.
London — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the late Queen Elizabeth II gave her some of the best advice on leading a country while being a new mother. Before that, there was the queen. There was myself.
The NZ prime minister looked sombre in all black as she joined mourners to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.
“When you think about leaders who have been in that position... “One of the things on my mind alongside being a new prime minister was being a prime minister and a mum. “The King was deeply appreciative of the thoughts of New Zealand, and of the efforts that so many have made to come and pay their respects,” she told New Zealand Herald.
The Prime Minister donned a black feathered kākahu, custom-made by designer Kiri Nathan.
She has also met with her newly appointed British counterpart, Liz Truss, during which the leaders discussed Queen Elizabeth's death, the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent free trade agreement between Britain and New Zealand. As a further nod to Aotearoa, the Prime Minister also paired the dress with a black feathered kākahu, custom-made by designer Kiri Nathan. The Prime Minister has had a busy schedule since arriving in the UK, including a brief but "warm" meeting with the new monarch, King Charles III.
Kiwi broadcaster Patrick Gower has added another clip to his potty-mouthed sizzle reel, dropping the F-bomb as he concluded a live stream with Prime ...
, to which Gower replies, "This is the f***ing news." "This is me shouting. "We don't just know her, we want her! Swap??" In the video, a library-goer stands up and says, "This is a f***ing library!" Gower made the unfortunate slip after the brief media stand-up, commenting as the PM departed to cheers from the crowd and the cry of "we love you Jacinda".
NZ Herald's Adam Pearse reporting from Windsor Castle, London Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern believes she may never witness an event as extraordinary as Q.
They had direct sight of the coffin, and the royal family. Biden was in the 14th row. Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata was resplendent in military dress. After the service, Ardern was able to say a short goodbye to the new King. Ardern was seated in the nave next to Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica and her partner Clarke Gayford, They were in the third row, a prime viewing spot, given New Zealand's position as a realm country. "With admiration we recall her life-long sense of duty and dedication to her people…With affection we recall her love for her family and her commitments to the causes she held dear."
After the committal service, Ardern was able to say a short goodbye to the new King.
They had direct sight of the coffin, and the royal family. Biden was in the 14th row. Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata was resplendent in military dress. Asked whether she personally felt closer to the monarchy after the commemorations, Ardern said she had been honoured to have relationships with the royal family as prime minister but didn't think that was necessary to feel an affinity to them. The Queen's death has prompted a discussion nationally as to whether New Zealand should remove the now King as head of state and become a republic - something Ardern has repeatedly ruled out under her Government. "There were a huge number of people on the side of the road but I glanced up and I saw a woman standing in her window alone, dressed in a black frock, just with her head bowed, in complete solitary and clearly just standing there as a mark of respect. An interval between the funeral and the service also afforded Ardern the chance to speak with other members of the royal family, including the King's brother Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. The encounter followed a 10-minute meeting Ardern had with King Charles III a couple of days ago when they had a general conversation about New Zealand and the Commonwealth, as well as speaking of the Kiwis attending the funeral. After the service, Ardern was able to say a short goodbye to the new King. An emotional and intimate affair, Ardern and Kiro were fortunate to earn an invitation to the 800-strong service that concluded with the Queen's coffin gradually descending into the royal vault to be buried with her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Ardern was seated in the nave next to Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica and her partner Clarke Gayford, They were in the third row, a prime viewing spot, given New Zealand's position as a realm country. "With admiration we recall her life-long sense of duty and dedication to her people…With affection we recall her love for her family and her commitments to the causes she held dear."