Joe Biden broke protocol by touching the king's hand as a greeting — with no ill effects. Photo: IAN VOGLER/AFP
It was a short tour of Britain that included the Prime Minister, the King and some good old military pomp.
For US President Joe Biden, the goal was to highlight these important special relationship, solidifying his «rock-hard» bond with Rishi Sunak and his green powers with the newly crowned ruler.
It's been a busy day for the 80-year-old leader of the free world, but he's had a lot to gather.< /p>
Shortly after 10:15 he was driving from Winfield House to Regent's Park. where he stayed Sunday night, Downing Street, on his first visit to No. 10 as president.
The Beast, the US President's armored vehicle, enters Downing Street. Photo: Steven Chang/LNP 
Rishi Sunak welcomes Joe Biden to the world press. Photo: Georgie Gillard/Story Picture Agency
As the Beast pulled up to the famous black door, Mr. Sunak stepped out to greet him before escorting his visitor into the garden for a chat under the July sun.
As the two men settled into wicker chairs sipping tea from each of the Downing Street fools, they were eager to salute their close ties.
Mr Biden, whose brief visit preceded the important NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, said, that «the relationship is solid as a rock.»
He said he «could not meet a closer friend and greater ally» and Sunak said the US and UK are «two of the most reliable allies» in NATO .
Not for the first time, Mr. Biden accidentally showed off his cue card containing handwritten notes telling him what to say.
After 40 minutes, he returned to his motorcade, sailing unhindered through the streets of London and back to the ambassador's residence.
After a short 30-minute stop, he set off again, took off in Marine One and headed for Windsor.
The first sign of its impending arrival over the historic castle was the thunderous sound of American helicopters rumbling through the sky before they landed on the East Lawn just before 12:30.< /p>
Minutes later, Biden's 11-car motorcade pulled out of the George IV Gate and drove through the quadrangle before the president slowly got out of his large SUV — a Chevrolet Suburban with Washington license plates — to be greeted by the king. /p>
As the two men shook hands, Mr. Biden reached out to place his hand on Charles' elbow, causing His Majesty to glance down in obvious surprise.
He then placed his hand on the king's back as they walked towards the dais. While the British, accustomed to strict royal protocol, were perplexed, experienced White House observers insisted that such tactile displays were simply his style. perhaps he somehow compensated for the president's absence from his coronation.
Arrival of the US president's air suite at Windsor. Photo: Andrew Parsons/Parsons Media. on the lawn at Windsor Castle. Photo: Army Sergeant Donald S. Todd. Welsh Guards.
While the Welsh Guards band played «The Star-Spangled Banner,» Mr. Biden stood with his hand on his heart, surrounded by the King and his kilted equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson.< /p>
After inspecting the troops, the President and the King returned to the dais to watch the passing military march, and then went inside for a private meeting over tea in the Oak Room, the monarch's private living room.
The meeting continued. about 20 minutes, in the presence of several consultants from each side.
After that, the king invited his guest to view an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection in the White Drawing Room, related to the relationship of the royal family with previous US presidents, including Roosevelt, Kennedy and Eisenhower.
The exhibition included a letter from Elizabeth II, sent to Eisenhower after his visit to Balmoral Castle in 1959, which contained the recipe for the «drip cakes» that the president so enjoyed during his visit to her private Scottish home the previous year.
More than 100 soldiers from the Prince of Wales' Welsh Guard Company greeted the president's arrival. Photo: Getty Images Europe/WPA Pool /> The President and the King inspect the troops. Credit: Susan Walsh/AP
The letter was chosen for display as it was during the visit that young Prince Charles, then aged 10, met the incumbent for the first time.
Mr. Biden was «very passionate» about the exhibit.
A few minutes later, the two men made their way to the Green Lounge, where the 50 to 60 participants of the Climate Finance Mobilization Forum, who had met earlier at the nearby Fairmont Hotel, had gathered to brief the two heads of state of their intentions. discussion.
The forum was organized by the government to honor the King's legacy in this matter, and Grant Shapps, Energy Secretary, who co-hosted the event, wasted no time in hailing the King's impressive decades. -long environmental campaign.
Charles III escorts his guest to the Oak Room, the king's private living room. Credit: KEVIN LAMARK/REUTERS
The Monarch and Biden stood shoulder to shoulder, smiling as an MP praised them for using their power to bring together wealthy businessmen and philanthropists who have pledged to invest billions of dollars in climate finance.
Mr Shapps said the king was the «mastermind» in warning the world about climate change.
He continued: “To you, Mr. President, we are extremely pleased to see that the Inflation Reduction Act is doing what we thought we would never see in the United States, which is that the largest economy in the world will join us. on this great journey to reach a cleaner and safer world.”
Mr Shapps warned that if those countries that do not currently have particularly large carbon footprints will not be “fast-tracked” to it will be too late before the energy transition is resolved.
He said he was pleased to announce that the morning's deliberations had already resulted in «a couple of billion dollars in commitments.»
John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, then added his brief welcome, stating that those in the room represent » some of the most influential and successful financial institutions… and one of the best charities in the world.»
After leaving the UK, President Biden was met in Vilnius by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP
Mr Kerry said the scientists were «horrified» by what they saw and warned that the world was in «an unknown world.» territory,” but that those present, who collectively represented “literally trillions of dollars,” were making daily decisions about how to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Outside, no less than five presidential helicopters could be seen parked on the East Lawn terraces, in addition to the fleet of more than ten cars that accompanied Biden from the helicopter to the castle.
A spokesman for the King said afterwards that it was «an extremely cordial and successful meeting that touched on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern.”
He added: “You will see for yourself the personal warmth between His Majesty and the President.”
Biden was already on the runway at London Stansted Airport heading to Lithuania.
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