Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said viewing the Queen’s coffin was a “very emotional experience” and an extraordinary moment in history.

Mr Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon paid their respects in Westminister Hall where the Queen is lying in state and he later met with the new King and British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

“You could feel the raw emotion in Westminster Hall. It was quite an extraordinary moment in history, but also a very personal one,” he told media after the viewing.

“I’ve attended that room many times as a political entry point to the houses of parliament, so it was a very different experience.”

It was an honour to meet with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. I extended my personal condolences and those of the Australian people to the King. pic.twitter.com/2mP4yfZzRt

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 17, 2022

The prime minister — along with other world leaders — met King Charles later in the day, cementing Australia’s importance to the new monarch.

The details of Mr Albanese’s conversation with the King were not released but earlier the prime minister said he would convey Australians’ deep condolences to the King.

“It is of course the passing of the sovereign but for King Charles it’s also the passing of his mum,” he said.

“We shouldn’t forget that at the end of the day these people are humans as well as being members of the Royal Family.”

Mr Albanese also met with new British prime minister Liz Truss.

Downing Street framed the conversation as a chat rather than formal bilateral talks.

Earlier Mr Albanese lauded the Queen for transcending barriers while maintaining a special bond with Australia in a touching tribute during an Australia House Commemorative Luncheon in London.

He said the late monarch was a unifying force throughout her 70-year reign.

“Even as history continued to shape us, and the bond between our two nations evolved, the affection and respect in which we held Her Majesty remained – unchanged, undiminished,” he said.

“The Queen transcended barriers. You could be a republican, and still feel nothing but regard for her.”

During a visit to Australia in 2000, months after Australia held a republic referendum, the Queen expressed her deep connection to the nation.

The revered monarch said she “felt part of this rugged, honest, creative land” and has “shared in the joys and the sorrows, the challenges and the changes that have shaped this country’s history”.

Mr Albanese recalled the Queen’s 16 visits to Australia, including a day at the races with former prime minister Bob Hawke in 1988, which he described as “one of the most Australian experiences of all”.

He also hailed the monarch’s loyalty and unwavering commitment to royal life.

“She celebrated our good times, and stood with us in our times of trial, bringing sympathy and comfort when it was so badly needed,” the prime minister said.

Soon after touching down, Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon laid a small bouquet of white flowers at Green Park in Westminster.

“It’s a great honour to be representing Australia here,” he said.

“Quite clearly, what we can see all around us is the affection in which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was held by people here in the United Kingdom but also of course in Australia and right around the Commonwealth.”

Mr Albanese, Ms Haydon and Governor-General David Hurley later signed the official book of condolence at Lancaster House in London.

The Queen’s funeral will be televised at 8pm AEST on Monday.

-with AAP