Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle, talks climate change.

President Joe Biden Meets King Charles III at Windsor Castle

LONDON—In a historic meeting, President Joe Biden and King Charles III of the United Kingdom came together at Windsor Castle. This marked their first encounter since the British monarch ascended to the throne.

Mr. Biden’s visit is part of an exciting five-day trip to Europe, which includes a crucial NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Following the summit, the president is scheduled to travel to Helsinki to commemorate Finland’s accession to the military alliance.

Upon arriving at Windsor Castle, Biden participated in a ceremonial welcome and inspection of the Honor Guard. This gesture is a display of respect for visiting dignitaries and leaders of state.

Afterward, the president enjoyed a delightful tea with the king and attended a climate engagement event at the castle, joined by philanthropists and investors.

Both leaders are committed to mobilizing finances, supporting clean energy deployment, and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis in developing countries. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized this during a press briefing on July 9.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, also participated in the meeting at the castle, further highlighting the importance of climate action.

In May, President Biden was unable to attend King Charles’ coronation, and First Lady Jill Biden represented the United States instead. This fueled speculation in the British media that Biden held negative views towards the UK due to his stance on Brexit. However, the White House promptly denied these claims, asserting that Biden is not “anti-British.”

When asked about the president’s relationship with the monarch, Mr. Sullivan stated that Biden knows King Charles “fairly well.” He also mentioned a recent warm phone conversation between the two leaders.

President Biden holds immense respect for King Charles’ commitment to addressing the climate crisis. This meeting serves as an opportunity to strengthen their personal bond and collaborate on driving climate progress and action.

Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, has been the cherished home of British kings and queens for over 1,000 years.