PRESIDENT Joe Biden has shared his heartfelt condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family on what would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday.
Mr Biden’s comments came after he travelled to Cornwall for the G7 summit, with the US President having met with his British counterpart Boris Johnson today.
Mr Biden said: “First I would like to express our condolences on behalf of Jill and I to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the entire royal family and the people of the United Kingdom.
“Today would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday. I know there are a lot of people feeling his absence today.”
It comes as Mr Johnson said President Biden was a “breath of fresh air” in an apparent swipe at predecessor Donald Trump – and hailed the pair’s “great” talks.
Boris praised the US President after one-on-one crunch meeting at the G7 in Cornwall.
Speaking afterwards, the PM spoke of the renewal of the Atlantic Charter of 1941 between Churchill and Roosevelt, saying it was a “massive, massive strategic importance” for both firms.
He revealed that “the talks were great” and “went on for a long time” in a show of the pair’s apparently good relationship.
This is the first time they have met since President Biden took office – and the US leader’s first overseas trip too.
And in a slight swipe at former leader President Trump, Boris added: “It’s fantastic, it’s a breath of a fresh air.”
He said the pair discussed several issues they wanted to work together on, from security to climate change, and their chats covered a “huge range of subjects”.
He was asked if the US leader had “made his alarm clear” about the Northern Ireland protocal – but he replied: “No, he didn’t”.
However, he said that the US, UK and EU all wanted to uphold the Good Friday agreement and “keep the balance of peace process going”, adding: “I’m optimistic that we can do that.”
Johnson said: “What I can say is that America, the United States, Washington, the UK plus the European Union, have one thing we absolutely all want to do, and that is to uphold the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and make sure we keep the balance of the peace process going.
“That’s absolutely common ground and I’m optimistic that we can do that.”
He added: “The talks were great, they went on for a long time, we covered a huge range of subjects and it’s wonderful to listen to the Biden administration and to Joe Biden because there’s so much that they want to do together with us, from security, Nato to climate change.
The Prime Minister’s office shared a tweet today saying: “The future of the world’s stability and prosperity lies in cooperation between the UK and the US, the closest of partners and the greatest of allies.”
It came as:
- Biden joked that the pair “married above their station” and the two were punching above their weight in their pick of partner
- Carrie and Jill went for a paddle on the beach as their husbands talked politics – and baby Wilf watched as they had a splash
- The new Mrs Johnson wore a stunning LK Bennett red dress and Zara shoes in support of the British high street
- Jill Biden wore a jacket with the words ‘love’ on the back – in a departure from Melania Trump’s ‘I really don’t care’ raincoat
- Biden jokes ‘I keep forgetting I’m president’ in awkward moment during UK trip after running on stage
- Joe Biden gives rallying speech to US troops in Britain and says ‘I’ll tell Mr Putin what I want him to know’
- The PM and Carrie had their first public outing as a married couple as they hit the world stage
- An awkward clip appeared to show Boris nearly holding hands with Jill Biden instead
Mr Johnson also said: “We affirmed the special relationship – that is not said lightly – the special relationship between our people and renewed our commitment to defending the enduring democratic values that both our nations share.”
The couples also gave each other gifts, with Boris presenting the US President with a photo of Frederick Douglass.
Douglass was a former slave who campaigned against the practise in the 1800s.
The PM also gave Jill Biden a collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier.
In return, the Bidens gave Boris an American-made bike and helmet, while Carrie received a tote bag and a scarf.
Foreign policy was touched upon between the leaders – including discussion about Afghanistan, China, Iran and Russia, No10 revealed.
The Bidens also admired the view at Carbis Bay with Mr Biden saying: “It’s gorgeous – I don’t want to go home.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said tonight that the two leaders “looked forward to important discussions at the G7 Summit in the coming days” and “discussed the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US for protecting our people, boosting prosperity in both our countries and promoting our values around the world.”
They added that they would work together even closer on a new US-UK trade deal which “would create jobs and bring new opportunities to both of our countries.”
