Inside Chevening House where world leaders met ahead of the Queen’s funeral

The funeral ofQueen Elizabeth IIwill take place on Monday 19 September after shepassed away at the age of 96 on 8 September.

Ahead of the day, world leaders have been flying into the United Kingdom to meet withKing Charlesand members of the Royal Family.

On Saturday, theRoyal Family hosted Commonwealth leaders at a reception at Buckingham Palaceincluding the governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Liz Truss also met a small proportion of world leaders attending the Queen’s funeral at the country mansion of Chevening House.

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Those present were Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand’s leader, Jacinda Ardern.

Chevening House is a large country mansion in Kent that boasts 115 magnificent bedrooms and is set upon 3,000 acres of land.

The property, which is located between Sevenoaks and Biggin Hill, is said to have "gardens that include a lake, maze, parterre and a double hexagonal walled kitchen garden". Over 530 acres of mixed woodland surround the extensive park.

The perfect manicured gardens are home to an array of beautiful trees and plants including palm trees.

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The Grade-I listed home is made up of four large buildings and contains marble fireplaces, copious amounts of armour, libraries and stunning chandeliers.

It has a grand staircase which is flanked by many pieces of artillery including guns and swords that make up an eye-catching display.

Despite its luxuries it was once said that Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel complained that there “never any toiletries at Chevening,” according to theTelegraph.

Normally the Prime Minister decides which of the MPs gets to use Chevening House, and when Liz Truss was Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs she shared it with Dominic Raab.

The Chevening Estate Act 1959 states that the house, which is privately owned by a board of trustees, is occupied by someone nominated by the prime minister.

Chevening was given to the nation by the seventh Earl Stanhope when he died, to allow a senior minister access to a grand retreat outside London.

His decision was inspired by the prime minister's use of the Buckinghamshire country house, Chequers.

While the estate has been traced back to the early 13th century, the house was built between 1615 and 1630, by the 13th Lord Dacre.

When world leaders flew in ahead of Her Majesty’s funeral, the Prime Minister chose to host them at Chevening as her country home of Chequers is undergoing refurbishments.

The house is not normally open to the public, although one day a year the gardens are used for charitable purposes and members of the public are allowed to attend.

READ MORE:

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• King Charles behind closed doors – ironed shoelaces, loving grandad and explosive temper

• William and Kate 'consider taking George to Queen's funeral' to send 'powerful' message

• Prince Harry stands firm in military uniform as he joins William at Westminster vigil

• For the latest updates on the Royal Family, sign up to OK!'s royals newsletter

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