Summary

  • US President Joe Biden has met King Charles at Windsor Castle on a flying visit to the UK

  • The pair met with financiers and philanthropists to talk about climate finance – Energy Secretary Grant Shapps and Biden’s special climate envoy John Kerry were also there

  • Earlier Biden met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street where they spoke about the US giving Ukraine cluster bombs

  • Biden called the US-UK relationship “rock solid” with Sunak calling the two countries the “firmest allies

  • Biden is now headed to the Nato summit which begins tomorrow in Lithuania

  1. Attentions now turn to Natopublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Jamie Whitehead
    Live reporter

    Joe Biden's flying visit to the UK is over and he's now on his way to Lithuania for the Nato summit which begins tomorrow.

    He wasn't here for long, but he packed quite a lot in with trips to Downing Street to meet Rishi Sunak, and to Windsor Castle for climate talks with the King.

    Attentions will now turn to the next two days when both Biden and Sunak touchdown in Vilnius for that summit - where no doubt the war in Ukraine will feature heavily.

    Don't forget that on Friday the US announced that it would be supplying Kyiv with cluster bombs. The UK has signed up to a treaty banning the making and storage of these munitions.

    We will be bringing you live updates of the Nato leaders summit tomorrow and Wednesday, so please do join us for that if you can.

    Today's page was brought to you by Marita Moloney, Andre Rhoden-Paul, Ali Abbas Ahmadi, Ece Goksedef and myself. Thank you for joining us.

  2. What has happened today?published at 15:54 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    The King, Biden and Welsh GuardsImage source, Reuters

    US President Joe Biden has been visiting the UK today where he held talks with Rishi Sunak before meeting the King.

    Biden arrived on Air Force One at Stansted Airport last night, before his first visit as president to Downing Street.

    There he met the prime minister for talks in the Downing Street garden. On the agenda was the US decision to supply controversial cluster bombs, which are banned by more than 100 countries including the UK.

    The president told Sunak "he couldn't be meeting with a closer friend and greater ally" and "our relationship is rock solid". While Downing Street denied a clash over their positions on cluster bombs and Ukraine joining Nato.

    Biden later met the King at Windsor Castle for tea and climate talks, before setting off to Lithuania for this week's Nato summit.

  3. In pictures: President Biden's flying visit to the UKpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Joe biden walking down the steps of Air Force OneImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Biden arrived at London's Stansted airport last night, stopping in the UK on his way to the Nato summit in Lithuania

    Biden and Sunak having tea in the gardenImage source, 10 Downing Street
    Image caption,

    Biden and Sunak discussed a variety of issues during a 45-minute meeting this morning

    Joe Biden, King Charles and a group of Welsh GuardsImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Next, he visited Windsor Castle - where he was welcomed by King Charles, and treated to the Welsh Guards' rendition of the US national anthem

    Joe Biden, King Charles, and several business leaders in an ornate roomImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles and Joe Biden then attended the Climate Finance Mobilisation forum in Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room before the US president left for Lithuania

  4. 'Personal warmth' on display between King and US presidentpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    King Charles III and US President Joe Biden arrive to meet participants of the Climate Finance Mobilisation forumImage source, PA Media

    What was the mood of the meeting in Windsor between the King and President Biden?

    According to the King’s spokesman: “You will have seen for yourselves the personal warmth.”

    Over a 20-minute cup of tea, the King and US president were described as having "an extremely cordial and successful meeting".

    There are no details of what they talked about, beyond a “wide variety of issues of mutual interest and concern”.

    But the visit will have been seen as a successful piece of symbolism for the US-UK relationship, the meeting with the King offering a carefully-choreographed display of mutual support.

  5. Biden departs after flying visit to the UKpublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Biden boards air force one

    In the last few minutes, US President Joe Biden boarded Air Force One at Stansted Airport after his flying visit to the UK.

    Biden will now head for the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, for a two-day Nato summit.

  6. John Kerry enjoys Windsor's famous Long Walkpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Daniela Relph
    Royal correspondent, at Windsor Castle

    It seems even the most seasoned of politicians can't resist the lure of Windsor's Long Walk.

    I've just watched John Kerry - the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate - take a stroll down the Long Walk stopping to chat to police officers on horseback.

    He told us his meeting with the King and the president had gone well.

    And he praised the King's 60 years of campaigning on the environment.

  7. Biden departs Windsor Castlepublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 10 July 2023
    Breaking

    President Biden leaves on Marine OneImage source, Getty Images

    US President Joe Biden has been seen boarding his Marine One helicopter in the last few minutes, signalling the end of his meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle.

    Biden arrived in Stansted Airport last night, and he'll fly on Air Force One this afternoon to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, for the two-day Nato summit.

  8. Shapps and Kerry on hand to welcome Biden and the Kingpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    When the doors of the Green Drawing Room opened in Windsor Castle, Grant Shapps, secretary of state for energy security and net zero, was there to welcome President Biden and King Charles.

    Shapps talked about the importance of “climate finance” – finding ways to raise money to help tackle climate change, particularly in developing countries.

    Climate envoy John Kerry, who was chatting to fellow guests at the King’s Coronation in May, was also on hand for the introductions.

    In his pre-meeting briefings, did the president get told an unexpected piece of trivia about Grant Shapps? That he’s the cousin of Mick Jones of the iconic band, The Clash.

  9. Who's attending the climate change talks?published at 14:25 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Grant Shapps, John Kerry, Joe Biden and King CharlesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Grant Shapps and John Kerry in Windsor Castle with Joe Biden and King Charles

    While the meeting between King Charles and Joe Biden continues, let's take a look at who we know is in the room for the climate change talks at Windsor Castle:

    • Top financiers and philanthropists, who are expected to discuss climate finance to boost support for developing nations to cut carbon emissions
    • The UK's Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps
    • President Biden's special climate envoy John Kerry
  10. Ukraine conflict is a backdrop to Biden's visitpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    President Biden’s stop-over visit to the UK is on the way to a Nato summit in Lithuania.

    The backdrop to this is the war in Ukraine – a subject on which King Charles has been unusually outspoken, particularly when he was still Prince of Wales. It seems to have become a very personal cause.

    He has spoken of the “brutal aggression” of Russia’s invasion and has visited the Ukrainian community in London and went to Romania to show support for refugees who had come across the border.

    On his first overseas state visit as monarch, the King hailed German support in opposing “unprovoked aggression” against Ukraine.

    The conversation in Windsor will remain private, but you’d expect Ukraine to be an important issue for both men.

  11. In pictures: Biden's warm welcome to Windsor Castlepublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Joe Biden and King Charles are meeting now in Windsor Castle for the last of the US president's engagements during his flying visit to the UK

    A little earlier, he received a royal salute and listened to the US national anthem performed by the Welsh Guards before entering the castle for talks with the King.

    Joe Biden arrives at Windsor Castle and is welcomed by King CharlesImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Joe Biden was welcomed by King Charles to Windsor Castle for his first meeting with the monarch since he was officially crowned in May

    King Charles and U.S President Joe Biden in the Grand Corridor at Windsor CastleImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    They were pictured in the Grand Corridor of the castle

    Biden and the KingImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    And they also shared a lighter moment outside after a ceremonial welcome from a band of red-jacketed Welsh Guards

    Biden and King Charles listened to the national anthem at Windsor Castle before they went inImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save the King" rang out across the grounds before they entered the castle

  12. Sunak and Biden discussed weapons for Ukraine - No 10 spokesmanpublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets US President Joe Biden in LondonImage source, EPA

    While King Charles and Joe Biden meet in Windsor, we can bring you some comments now from Downing Street about Rishi Sunak's chat with the US president earlier.

    A spokesman for the PM said Sunak and Biden discussed the US' decision to supply controversial cluster bombs to Ukraine.

    The weapons have been banned by more than 100 countries, including the UK, because of the danger they pose to civilians.

    The prime minister's official spokesman said it "was a difficult choice for the US” to provide the weapons and it had been “forced on them by Russia’s war of aggression”, PA media reports.

    The spokesman said Sunak was upholding the UK's requirements under an international convention banning the weapons.

  13. A look at King Charles' environmental campaigningpublished at 13:26 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    King Charles (then Prince of Wales) speaking at Cop26Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    King Charles (then Prince of Wales) speaking at Cop26 in Glasgow

    Climate change will be one of the big issues that King Charles will discuss with US President Joe Biden as the pair meet now in Windsor.

    The King has been an active advocate on climate issues for the past 50 years. Here’s a brief history of his campaigning:

    • He gave his first major speech on the environment in 1971. Aged 21, the then heir to the throne warned of the dangerous effects of oil, plastic and air pollution
    • He later established the International Sustainability Unit in 2010 to address climate challenges, such as protecting the marine ecosystem
    • He was a big presence at Cop26 in Glasgow in 2021, where he pushed world leaders to work together to save the planet
    • The King has also urged business leaders to make commitments to fighting climate change, and more than 500 executives are now part of his Sustainable Markets Initiative, external
    • And earlier this year, he co-wrote a children’s book on climate change
  14. The King has met a lot of US presidentspublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    King Charles has been meeting US presidents since he was a child. Like President Biden, he’s been around a long time.

    In 1959, aged 10, the then Prince Charles was there when President Eisenhower met Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral.

    In 1970, when other young people were experimenting with flower power, Charles was in the White House, wearing a double-breasted suit, in a meeting with President Richard Nixon.

    Mind you, President Biden has certainly crammed in a number of UK prime ministers in a short space of time.

    When he was campaigning for the presidency in summer 2019 Theresa May was still PM, since then we’ve rattled through Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

  15. In pictures: Biden meets King Charlespublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Biden arrives
    Image caption,

    President Joe Biden arrives in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle

    Biden and the King
    Image caption,

    The King and president firmly shook hands

    Biden and the King
    Image caption,

    Biden places his right hand over his heart as the US national anthem is played

    Biden
    Image caption,

    The president, followed by the King, inspects Welsh Guards

  16. Windsor Castle prepped for Biden visitpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Welsh Guards at Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media

    There is an immense sense of choreography about these events.

    The grass on the lawn inside Windsor Castle has been cut as neatly as a checkerboard, the Welsh Guards are lined up with careful symmetry. There is always intense security wherever the US president travels.

    This meeting is with the King as head of state, acting on the advice of the government rather than as an individual host. It’s the exercise of soft power.

    Nothing will be accidental.

  17. Biden arrives at Windsor Castlepublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle

    Joe Biden has arrived at Windsor Castle to meet the King.

    His helicopter Marine One has just touched down.

    The US president will receive a royal salute from the Welsh Guards assembled in the castle's courtyard and the American national anthem will be played.

  18. Not a state visit, but still a ceremonial welcomepublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Welsh guardsImage source, PA Media

    This isn’t a state visit from the US president, but there will still be a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.

    There will be a guard of honour from the Welsh Guards to be inspected by the King and President Biden.

    It might bring back memories of the time when Queen Elizabeth II tried to steer former President Donald Trump in the right direction during a similar inspection, with the late Queen appearing and disappearing from behind his direction of travel.

    Once inside the castle the King and president will have a cup of tea, projecting a sense of cosy togetherness for the cameras, before they look at some US-related items from the Royal Collection.

    And then, appropriately in the Green Drawing Room, they’ll meet people taking part in a summit about raising funds to tackle climate change.

  19. Climate change on the agenda this afternoonpublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    When the King and President Biden meet at Windsor Castle they will spend some time on a theme that’s been important to both of them – tackling climate change.

    The two of them met previously at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021, where the then Prince Charles had made an urgent call for action.

    They also met at the G7 meeting in Cornwall - also in 2021 - when protecting the environment was a key theme.

    In Windsor this afternoon they’ll join delegates who have been taking part in a forum to find ways to raise funds to help developing countries tackle climate change.

  20. Joe Biden's Downing Street visit in picturespublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 10 July 2023

    Here is what happened during Joe Biden’s first visit to Downing Street as US president.

    The BeastImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Biden arrived in a large motorcade

    Biden and Sunak in the Downing Street gardenImage source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak held talks in the Downing Street garden

    Reporters in Downing StreetImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Dozens of reporters assembled outside Downing Street to cover the visit

    Biden and SunakImage source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Biden looked up at the sky as he left to meet King Charles