Joe Biden could meet the Queen when he heads to the UK for the G7 summit in June … and could he be invited to Trooping the Color or Prince Philip’s 100th birthday?
- Mr Biden will arrive on June 11 for a three-day summit in Cornwall
- Prince Philip’s 100th birthday is the day before – when Prince Harry is expected
- Or the president can fly to London on June 12 for Trooping the Color
Joe Biden could meet the Queen for the first time since he became US president when he visited Britain for the G7 summit in June, senior sources have told The Mail on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace officials are expected to investigate the possibility.
Mr Biden is expected to arrive in Great Britain for the three-day summit in Cornwall starting June 11.
Prince Philip’s 100th birthday is the day before – when Prince Harry is expected – or the president could fly to London on June 12 for Trooping the Color. The ceremony marks the Queen’s official birthday.
Joe Biden could meet the Queen for the first time since he became US president when he visited Britain for the G7 summit in June, senior sources have told The Mail on Sunday.
Mr Biden will arrive in Great Britain for the three-day summit in Cornwall starting June 11th. Prince Philip’s 100th birthday is the day before – when Prince Harry is expected. (Upstairs, the Queen and Philip last November)
The president could fly to London on June 12 for Trooping the Color. The ceremony marks the Queen’s official birthday. (Pictured, the parade in 2019)
It is hoped that by June global vaccination programs coupled with the usual fall in summer infection levels will be able to resume some measure of normal life, including the Queen’s performance of her royal duties.
Proud of his Irish roots, Mr Biden will face a diplomatic dilemma over whether or not to tie a visit to Dublin.
Buckingham Palace yesterday declined to comment on plans for Mr Biden’s visit.
But depending on his schedule, the president is also likely to receive a formal invitation to visit the Palace of Westminster.
Yesterday it emerged that Chairman Sir Lindsay Hoyle has already written to Mr Biden inviting him and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the House of Commons.
In a letter sent prior to Mr. Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Sir Lindsay said he was “ shocked and dismayed ” at the invasion by Donald Trump supporters of the Washington Capitol when Congress convened to vote on the election of the Washington Capitol. Mr. Biden.
Sir Lindsay wrote, “When violence is used, the discussion is lost and every right-minded person around the world must condemn such action.”
Depending on his schedule, the president will also likely receive a formal invitation to visit the Palace of Westminster
Yesterday it appeared that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) has already written to Mr Biden inviting him and Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, to the House of Commons
He added, “When the time is right, I would be very honored if you and Speaker Pelosi were 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 MPs and colleagues in the historic Westminster Hall, part of the Palace of Westminster, while he was president.
Bercow cited Trump’s alleged racism and sexism for refusing to give him credit for a joint address to both houses of parliament.
Yesterday, however, Commons sources said that Mr. Biden would only get that privilege if his visit were upgraded to a full state visit this summer. One said, “If it is not a state visit, then it is more normal to simply invite the President to visit the Commons rather than give a joint address at Westminster Hall.”
Last night Sir Lindsay said: “Visits by foreign heads of state to parliament are rightly a matter for the government.
“As I said to the President in my letter, I would like to welcome him to the House of Commons at the right time.”
Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, also acknowledged that the formal invitation to Mr Biden should come from the government, but added that he “would very much appreciate a visit to Parliament from a US President”.