Jill Biden attends Rishi Sunak’s Coronation lunch party and enjoys a spot of tea after snub slur
America’s First Lady Jill Biden was the star guest at UK PM Rishi Sunak’s coronation lunch in Downing Street, dismissing a claim from former US president Donald Trump.
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The US First Lady joined the UK PM Rishi Sunak, his wife Akshata Murthy and their two daughters at the event marking King Charles’ crowning.
According to The Sun, she and her granddaughter Finnegan Biden were among dozens of invitees tucking into coronation quiches, sausage rolls and smoked salmon in the sunshine.
And Ms Biden even enjoyed a spot of tea with the PM from a “King Charles III” mug
Her husband Joe Biden did not attend the Coronation, having only recently flown in for Good Friday Agreement anniversary celebrations.
Downing Street was decked out in Union flags - while even the Sunaks’ dog Nova wore a red, white and blue bandana.
Guests ate off crockery donated by British ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater while enjoying music from the RAF Northolt brass quintet.
Recipients of the Points of Light Award, given to ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community, were among the invitees along with Ukrainians who have come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme after Russia invaded their country, as well as their UK sponsors.
Other guests include young people from UK Youth and the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs.
Mr Sunak and Ms Murty hosted the event as part of the Big Lunch celebrations taking place across the country over the coronation weekend.
Ahead of the lunch Mr Sunak said: “I am proud to welcome Ukrainians forced to flee their homes and some incredible community heroes to Downing Street for our very own Coronation lunch to celebrate this historic moment.
“In England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland – and across our Overseas Territories and the wider Commonwealth – people are marking this momentous occasion in the spirit of unity and hope for the future”
It comes as a former US president slammed Joe Biden for sending his wife to the coronation of King Charles III after experts said the move flubbed a 100-year diplomatic precedent.
“Joe Biden should have been at the Coronation of King Charles III. Is that really so much to ask? The people of the U.K. are greatly insulted,” Trump said on social media.
“No wonder we are losing support all over the World. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
“Good Luck and Best Wishes to the wonderful new King and Queen of The United Kingdom,” Trump added. “You are two very Special People. May your Reign be a Long and Glorious One. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!!
Biden was lambasted for brushing aside his decision to skip the coronation during an interview with MSNBC, saying: “I told him I couldn’t be there because I have this going on.”
Arianne Chernock, a Boston University history professor who studies America’s relationship with the British monarchy, said Mrs Biden’s attendance broke a 100-year diplomatic precedent set the US dispatched a carefully chosen delegation for the coronation of King George V in 1911.
In contrast to the diplomatic delegation sent to the coronations of King George V and Queen Elizabeth II, Biden sent no formal representative and, instead, his wife and granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, appeared as guests.
“Joe Biden clearly hasn’t made it a high priority, as past presidents have done,” Chernock told The New York Post. “Is she simply there to pay her respects and engage in a bit of tourism?”
HIDDEN DETAIL IN BIDEN OUTFITS
In a spectacle befitting a scene from a Game of Thrones set, kings and queens from far flung kingdoms mingled awkwardly with powerful Heads of State, celebrities and commoners to pack Westminster Abbey.
The Coronation’s unusually eclectic 2300-strong guest list had representatives from 200 countries including 90 world leaders to make up a colourful multicultural melange.
But King Charles insisted on diversity and inclusion for his guest list and was rewarded with a colourful ensemble where guests played a secret game of star spotting.
Some guests wore traditional dress of their respective nations, others impressed in military regalia and most dazzled with horse racing style attire of spectacular hats and fascinators and smart suits and tails.
The 1000-year-old ceremony at Westminster Abbey was a smaller affair than Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last September – which was one of the largest ensembles of dignitaries in modern British history – and smaller than the 8250 guests for her coronation in 1953.
British actors Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson were present as was Joanna Lumley, a personal friend of the Coronation majesties.
American superstar performers Lional Ritchie and Katy Perry, who were formally invited to stay at Windsor Castle overnight ahead of headline the Coronation concert, attended and sat among bankers, judges in their wigs, former prime ministers and current MPs, charity workers and knights.
Ritchie sat next to former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop, wearing a beautiful Zimmerman designed dress, as they were both linked to the Prince’s Trust. She posted a selfie with the American singer as they entered the Abbey and could be seen chatting animatedly prior to proceedings.
Eagle-eyed coronation watchers picked up on unmistakeable signs of support for Ukraine in the globally-televised ceremony.
Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan made a significant statement with their attire, with the US First Lady in all blue and her granddaughter colour blocking in yellow – the colours of Ukraine’s flag.
TV viewers also noticed adjoining blue and yellow carpets near the choir in Westminster Abbey, with many speculating that this was a conscious show of support for the embattled eastern European nation.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife Olena Zelenska is an invited guest at the coronation.
On Friday Ms Zelenska met with Ms Biden and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, with the latter sharing a photo on social media afterwards.
Observers noted Princess Catherine had opted for a “Ukrainian” shade of blue in her dress, while the US First Lady’s outfit also had tones of blue and yellow.
Australian body language expert Dr Louise Mahler noted that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte appeared strained as they arrived.
“It is amazing to realise just how hard it is to be under the magnifying glass of a camera on a big entrance,” she said.
“Macron and his wife Bridgette, looked incredibly tense as they walked slowly and alone under camera. I wondered if those high heels on the very hard stone was killing her feet, because she looked as though she was in pain, hanging onto Macron’s arm.
“Once they spoke with others they lightened noticeably, smiling and chatting.”
British TV royalty presenters Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) were also invited as ambassadors of the Prince’s Trust.
Australian businessman and philanthropist the baron Sir Michael Hintze, in his red Lord’s robe, secured a seat at the front of the peers’ section.
In the crowd bankers, judges in their wigs, former prime ministers and current MPs, charity workers and military veterans in dress regalia mingling.
Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen’s former confidante who was involved in a “race row” after a Buckingham Palace function, arrived at Westminster Abbey, showing she is well and truly back in the fold.
The 83-year-old, Prince William’s godmother and a lady in waiting for decades for the late monarch, resigned from palace duties after the storm last year.
She had asked 61-year-old charity CEO Ngozi Fulani, which part of Africa she was from, moved her dreadlocked hair out of the way of her name badge, and inquired “where she really came from” while making small-talk during a royal reception.
Fulani revealed what happened on social media, calling it “institutional racism”, then found herself at the end of a backlash after people accused her of overreacting and troublemaking – some becoming very abusive.
Buckingham Palace later said had apologised to Fulani at a meeting “filled with warmth and understanding”, while William issued a statement saying “racism has no place in society”.
Some insiders said Hussey had been treated unfairly; and it emerged earlier this year that she was back in favour, representing Princess Anne at a memorial service.
The Queen of Spain wore pink for the Coronation, but she stepped out in a Victoria Beckham dress, a design previously worn by reality TV star and model Kendall Jenner, to a reception at Buckingham Palace on the eve of the coronation.
Showing her support for British design talent, Letizia teamed the green gathered-waist midi dress with a black clutch bag and court heels.
Accompanying her husband, King Felipe, at the event for overseas coronation guests, Letizia, 50, added a glittering bow-shaped brooch and drop earrings.
“Her Majesty the Queen of Spain looks incredible!!! Wearing one of my dresses!!” Beckham wrote on Instagram.
The dress, in parrot green was sold out on the Victoria Beckham website.
United States special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry was also there.
Other notable faces reportedly in the audience included David and Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Rowan Atkinson, Bear Grylls and Spice Girl Melanie Brown.
Representing Australia star international footballer Sam Kerr as well as comic presenter Adam Hills who chatted with rocker Nick Cave about the “biggest show on Earth” as he encouraged those around him to play a secret game of star spotting.
“My top spot is Harry, looking forward to seeing Prince,” Hills said.
Cave was earlier seen engrossed in conversation with former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
“This is a proud moment in our national history,” Earl Marshal Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the Duke of Norfolk and England’s most senior peer, whose family have organised state occasions since 1483, declared prior to the service.
“This is also a time to remind ourselves of the pride we have in our great country and our unwritten constitution, which has served us so well for over 1000 years during our long history.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sat among world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron.
Australian First Lady Jodie Haydon also arrived wearing a dress made by Karen Gee.
Ms Haydon’s pillbox hat was made in the Embellish Atelier (Rozelle, Sydney) by Catherine Kelly using traditional millinery techniques on a vintage 1940s wooden hat block. The hat is made with Petersham millinery ribbon and silk screen print ‘Yingarna’ made by Injalak women on West Arnhem Land.
Controversially Chinese vice-president Han Zheng, who presided over a crackdown on civil rights in Hong Kong, was also among the dignitaries.
Tasmanian-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and husband Prince Frederick led a long list of royals whose attendance continues a tradition spanning centuries including from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.
Irish republican Michelle O’Neill, former deputy first Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Fein vice-president, said she accepted the invitation, in a gesture of goodwill and “peace and reconciliation”.
“We are living in a great time of change … a time to respect our differing and equally legitimate aspirations,” she said of her invitation.
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Originally published as Jill Biden attends Rishi Sunak’s Coronation lunch party and enjoys a spot of tea after snub slur
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