First lady Jill Biden enjoyed tea with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie, on Thursday and will meet with British military veterans and Queen Elizabeth II over the weekend as part of a busy schedule during President Biden’s first foreign trip as president.
Mrs. Biden and Mrs. Johnson met in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, as Mr. Biden and Mr. Johnson discussed global issues and viewed The Atlantic Charter — a statement that set out American and British goals following World War II — ahead of Group of Seven meetings.
“It’s really nice to be here in Cornwall. It’s my first time. Obviously, it’s beautiful for those of you who have been here before,” Mrs. Biden told reporters. “Joe and I are really looking forward to meeting everyone at the G-7.”
The meeting was a notable turn in the spotlight for Mrs. Johnson, a 33-year-old who married the prime minister in a quiet ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in late May.
Mrs. Biden is no stranger to the public eye — Mr. Biden was vice president for eight years.
The first lady took the stage as the first couple arrived in Britain on Wednesday and greeted U.S. Air Force personnel at the Royal Air Force Mildenhall station, declaring support for military families a “national security imperative.”
She’ll pick up that theme over the weekend by meeting with Bude Surf Veterans, a local volunteer group that uses surfing to help British military veterans with physical and mental health injuries.
On Sunday, she will meet with British veterans who participated in the Walk of America — a 1,000-mile trek led by the Walking with the Wounded group in 2018 that called attention to the stories of wounded, ill or injured service members.
Mrs. Biden said the first couple wants to discuss education with the queen on Sunday.
“That’s an exciting part of the visit for us. We’ve looked forward to this for weeks and now it’s finally here,” Mrs. Biden said. “It’s a beautiful beginning.”
Mrs. Biden will head home after the royal visit, while Mr. Biden is heading to Brussels and then Switzerland for a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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