Joe Biden responds to Charles' Coronation and hails wife for making him 'proud'
Joe Biden has responded to King Charles III's historic Coronation today - after avoiding the big day and instead sending his wife to represent the US.
The American President was a highly notable absence from today's Coronation with the White House at pains to point out that this is not a snub.
No US leader has ever attended the ceremony since the country gained its independence in 1776 and, with First Lady Jill Biden attending, this is the first time a family member of a sitting president has been to the coronation of a British monarch.
Following the ceremony, Biden tweeted from the official POTUS Twitter account: "Congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on their Coronation. The enduring friendship between the US and the UK is a source of strength for both our peoples."
He added: "I am proud the First Lady is representing the United States for this historic occasion."
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Follow The Mirror's live blog for all the latest updates from today's historic event
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placing St Edward's Crown on the head of the King (PA)
Finnegan Biden and the First Lady represented the White HOuse at the historic occasion (Getty Images)Jill decided to take granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, 23, as her plus one.
She tweeted in response to her husband: "The United States and the United Kingdom have a special relationship.
"It’s an honor to represent the United States on this historic day at Westminster Abbey."
Biden staying away follows a tradition of US presidents not going. Back in 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower did not attend the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Biden did not attend the Coronation, but accepted an invite for a state visit (PA)Instead, he sent Earl Warren, the governor of California, George Marshall, former secretary of State, and Omar Bradley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
And also, in a relaxed interview with MSNBC broadcast this weekend, Biden appears to joke he could not go to Charles' Coronation as "I have this going on" - referring to the intervie
Sitting down with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle, the President claimed: "I told him I couldn't be there because I have this going on."
The 80-year-old claimed he told the king he would be in the United Kingdom during the summer for the NATO conference.
The Prince of Wales kisses his father King Charles III during his coronation ceremony (PA)He added: "He's a good acquaintance and we've worked together on environmental issues."
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The White House said in a statement: "There is no official US delegation. Finnegan is a plus one.
"As we’ve noted before with other family travel, historically, family members of Presidents have frequently joined them during travel.
"Current practices are consistent with those used by prior Administrations."
First Lady Jill Biden, and her granddaughter Finnegan arrive at Westminster Abbey (AP)Jill attended a reception at Buckingham Palace yesterday hosted by the King, and both the First Lady and Finnegan were seen talking to the Princess of Wales. The pair also met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty at 10 Downing Street.
The President, who recently announced he would run again for the top office in 2024, accepted an invitation from the King to attend a state visit to the UK, though no date has yet been set.
Ahead of the coronation, the First Lady said: "Headed to the UK for the Coronation of King Charles III – the first in 70 years!
"It's an honour to represent the United States for this historic moment and celebrate the special relationship between our countries."
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