Could Joe Biden meet the Queen when he visits the UK at the G7 summit in June … and could he be invited to Trooping the Color or Prince Philip’s 100th birthday?
- Biden will have to reach the three-day summit in Cornwall from 11 June
- Prince Philip’s centenary is the day before, when Prince Harry is expected
- Or the president could fly to London for Trooping the Color on June 12th
Joe Biden could meet the Queen for the first time since he became president of the United States when he visits Britain for the G7 summit in June, senior sources told The Mail on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace officials are understood to be exploring the possibility.
Biden will arrive in Britain for the three-day summit in Cornwall from 11 June.
Prince Philip’s centenary is the day before – when Prince Harry is expected – or the president could fly to London for Trooping the Color on June 12th. The ceremony marks the queen’s official birthday.
Joe Biden could meet the Queen for the first time since he became president of the United States when he visited Britain for the G7 summit in June, major sources told The Mail on Sunday
Biden will have to arrive in Britain for the three-day summit in Cornwall from 11 June. Prince Philip’s centenary is the day before, when Prince Harry is expected. (At the top, the Queen and Philip last November)
The president could fly to London for Trooping the Color on June 12th. The ceremony marks the queen’s official birthday. (In the photo, the parade of 2019)
In June, global vaccination programs combined with the usual drop in infection levels in the summer are expected to resume a measure of normal life, including the Queen’s performance of her royal duties.
Biden, who prides himself on his Irish roots, will face a diplomatic problem over whether he is linked on a visit to Dublin.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment yesterday on plans for Mr Biden’s visit.
But, according to his schedule, the president is likely to receive a formal invitation to visit Westminster Palace.
Yesterday it emerged that President Sir Lindsay Hoyle had already written to Mr Biden to invite him and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to the Commons.
In a letter sent before Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Sir Lindsay said he was “shocked and dismayed” by the invasion of Donald Trump supporters of the Washington Capitol when Congress met to confirm Biden’s election. .
Sir Lindsay wrote: “When force is used, the argument is lost and everyone with reason around the world must condemn this action.”
Depending on your schedule, the President is likely to receive a formal invitation to visit Westminster Palace.
Yesterday it emerged that President Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) had already written to Mr Biden to invite him to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Commons
He added: “When the time comes, I would be very honored for you and President Pelosi to be my guests on a visit to the House of Commons.”
The invitation comes four years after Sir Lindsay’s predecessor, John Bercow, effectively blocked Donald Trump from addressing lawmakers and comrades in the historic Westminster Hall, which was part of Westminster Palace when he was president.
Bercow cited Trump’s alleged racism and sexism for refusing to give him the honor of a joint speech in both houses of Parliament.
However, Commons sources said yesterday that Biden would receive this privilege only if his visit this summer was upgraded to a full state visit. One said: “If it’s not a state visit, it’s more normal to just invite the president to visit the Commons instead of giving a joint address to Westminster Hall.”
Last night, Sir Lindsay said: “The visits of overseas heads of state to Parliament are a matter for the Government.
“As I mentioned to the President in my letter, when the time comes, I would love to welcome him to the House of Commons.”
Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, also acknowledged that the formal invitation to Biden should come from the government, but added that he “would very much like a US President’s visit to Parliament”.