His face was a picture of happiness as he chatted animatedly with President Biden and his wife Jill as they concluded their widely acclaimed visit to Britain, their first overseas trip since taking office, with this personal audience and honor.
Just 48 hours after His Majesty traveled to Cornwall to meet world leaders, including the Bidens, who were attending the G7 summit, there seemed to be a particular intimacy when the American leader and his wife were greeted in Windsor.
In contrast to the awkwardness when Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump visited Windsor in 2018, this was a much friendlier occasion with Her Majesty’s guests simply honored by his invitation at this time – his personal pleasure was evident and he didn’t need more. details.
After all, it’s still been just over two months since 99-year-old Prince Philip died and Covid restrictions meant the queen had to sit alone at the funeral of her beloved husband for 73 years.
But duty still comes first, even in times of personal pain, and the 48 hours leading up to the Bidens’ arrival represented some of the busiest and most significant of the Queen’s 69-year reign that has seen her face 13 US. . Presidents (Lyndon B Johnson is the exception).
After she and other high-ranking members of the royal family put up an offensive of diplomatic charm at the G7 that left international leaders wide-eyed by her glittering presence, the Queen attended a scaled down Trooping the Color ceremony as focal point of the ceremony. events to commemorate his 95th birthday.
At one point, she could be seen tapping her foot to the beat of military music before looking up in awe as the Red Arrows put on an evocative display to mark the occasion.
But the shock was palpable: this was the first Trooping the Color since the death of Prince Philip and anyone newly widowed will identify with the Queen and her conflicting emotions on such occasions.
It was from the very Windsor ring, now the default setting for so many royal events, that the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin followed on his last trip to St George’s Chapel.
He now hosted the president and Dr. Biden, who chatted with dignitaries after getting off the Marine One helicopter, laughing and holding hands, before being whisked away in a Range Rover inside the castle compound. In a pink floral dress, the Queen was a picture of elegance when her guests arrived; Covid, however, excluded the traditional handshake as a sign of friendship or an unoriginal nudge.
They stood at attention on a dais as the Coldstream Guard Band played the American national anthem before Biden inspected the honor guard with the chords of the star sequined flag.
While His Majesty explained the ceremony to the Bidens, they then accompanied their host on a steady walk to the Sovereign’s Entrance and afternoon tea.
It is said that the queen, out of habit, personally serves the first cup of tea for her guests before the light sandwiches and cake, as part of a very British and picturesque welcome, which put the royal stamp on a new chapter in the relationship. lasting between Great Britain and the United States.
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-13 17:08:41