Jacinda Ardern

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."