ROYAL WELCOME
Biden gets royal salute as he greets King Charles at Windsor Castle after he skipped coronation
JOE Biden has been given a royal salute as he greets King Charles at Windsor Castle today.
The US President snubbed the coronation in May but has now made the trip to the UK ahead of a NATO summit in Lithuania tomorrow.
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Charles, 74, shook hands with the leader before watching the Welsh Guards in the quadrangle of the castle.
Both country's national anthems were also played ensuring Biden had a warm welcome.
The pair, who seemed to be in good spirits, are now said to be having tea in the castle grounds.
The private meeting should last for around 30 minutes.
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It is the first time Biden has been back at Windsor Castle since the Queen died.
Biden is only spending a swift 24 hours in the country sparking questions over why a British state visit hasn't been planned.
Despite this, Biden urged the relationship between America and the UK is "rock solid".
Arriving for a cuppa with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at No10 this morning, the pair held talks.
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They will then fly on to Lithuania for the summit with world leaders tomorrow to discuss Ukraine and other world issues.
It is the President's first time in Downing Street since Rishi took over as PM, and their sixth meeting together, but it's not a formal state visit.
On the agenda will be Mr Biden's controversial decision to send controversial cluster bombs to Ukraine to assist the fightback against Russia.
The munitions have been banned in more than 100 countries as unexploded “bomblets” can remain on the ground and detonate years later on civilians.
Russia has also been using them in the conflict - but the UK is one of those signed up to the ban.
Previously, the White House had held off sending them to Kyiv over fears of harming the innocent.
Ukraine's NATO membership will also be discussed, alongside the war in Russia - though the US president has said he isn't sure they are ready to yet join the alliance.
It will take "a while" for Ukraine to become a full member of the club, he admitted - despite UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace calling for it to be fast-tracked thanks to the war.
Later today, Biden will have an a meeting with the King, where the pair will chat about the environment and climate.
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President Biden arrived in London late last night as he stopped over in the UK on his way out to Europe.
He was greeted on the runway last night, after disembarking Air Force One, by Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, and Jane Hartley, US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
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