US President Joe Biden has said the "world is better" because of the Queen as he offered his condolences to the British people for their loss.
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He was speaking at Lancaster House after visiting Westminster Hall to pay his respects to the late monarch.
Biden arrived with his wife Jill at the lying in state on Sunday evening, ahead of his attendance at Monday's funeral.
They were joined by the US ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley.
The president stood on the platform for around two minutes, taking in the scene, where he crossed himself and exchanged a few words with the first lady.
He looked on with a sombre expression and put his hand to his heart before walking away.
Speaking later at Lancaster House, Biden said: "To all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you.
"You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years, we all were.
"The world is better for her."
Biden said the Queen reminded him of his own mother.
"She had that look like, 'are you OK? Anything I can do for you? What do you need?' And also 'make sure you do what you're supposed to do'," he joked, wagging his finger.
He added: "I have talked about how my mother and father thought that everyone, no matter who they were, no matter what their station, no matter where they are from, deserved to be treated with dignity.
"And that's exactly what she communicated - just the way she walked by her staff, just the way she acted.
"I think what she gave was a sense of, above all, the notion of service - we all owe something.
"There is something in our capacity to do that can make not just the world better, but your neighbourhood better, your household better, your workplace better, and that's what she communicated to me and it was an honour to meet her."
Large crowds were gathered behind barricades near Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square Garden ready to take photos of the president's motorcade as it glided into the Palace of Westminster.
Some children were sitting on their parents' shoulders trying to get a view.
Security was tight and road crossings were closed ahead of the visit as rumours spread through the crowd about the imminent arrival of the president and his entourage.
The Bidens were greeted at Westminster Hall by Black Rod Sarah Clarke.
They then travelled to Lancaster House, where they both signed the book of condolence.
The president and first lady were met by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Robert Alexander, head of government hospitality at the Foreign Office.
Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport just before 10pm on Saturday evening.
The president had been due to meet Prime Minister Liz Truss on Sunday, but the talks were cancelled on Saturday.
A "full bilateral meeting" was scheduled for Wednesday when the leaders are set to be in New York for the UN General Assembly.
Australian Associated Press
