In the UK, the Queen's funeral is anticipated to break global TV viewing records with more than 4 billion people expected to tune in this morning.
Mammoth queues to file past her coffin have disappeared, and the doors have closed to Westminster Hall. At the peak people were waiting for more than 24 hours to pay their respects to Britain's Queen Elizabeth, with the queues almost 7 miles long.
Around 2,000 people will be at the service at Westminster Abbey this morning, including Britain's Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who will walk alongside the new Prince and Princess of Wales.
Thousands have queued overnight for a good spot to watch events, in what's been described as the UK's biggest ever security operation.
The service, that begins at 11am, will see Ireland represented by President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Today, I signed the Book of Condolence at Lancaster House.
In sympathy with King Charles, the Royal Family, and British people, on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth, who did so much for reconciliation on these islands. pic.twitter.com/1EYwMQ8FPN— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 18, 2022
Meanwhile a video of the Taoiseach being snubbed by Larry the Cat at Downing Street has gone viral. It followed a meeting between Micheál Martin and the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Micheal Martin getting rejected by Larry the Cat is giving major ick pic.twitter.com/AQgz3w7GHT
— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) September 18, 2022
