By John Ikani
Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, has arrived in London to witness the highly anticipated coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, leading the US delegation for the events.
In a tweet before her departure from Washington, DC, she expressed her honor and excitement for the special relationship between the US and the UK.
Biden is accompanied by her granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, and has a packed schedule for her three-day trip.
She will meet with Mrs. Akshata Murty, wife of the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and participate in a health and wellness program with veterans and their families on Friday.
The fist lady will also visit a local primary school hosting a coronation fair and greet the US embassy staff and their families.
The main event, the coronation, will take place on Saturday at Westminster Abbey, with a solemn religious service and a celebration of pageantry conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
In the evening, Biden will attend a reception hosted by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jane Hartley.
Biden’s visit will conclude on Sunday with other heads of state and dignitaries at a “Coronation Big Lunch” hosted by Sunak and Murty at 10 Downing Street.
Despite reports that President Joe Biden would not attend the coronation, the US officials downplayed the possibility and confirmed that the first lady would represent the US.
The President spoke with King Charles last month, congratulating him on his coronation and reaffirming the strong ties between the US and the UK.
The President also expressed his desire to meet with the King in the UK at a future date.
Previously, the first lady traveled to the UK with the President in September to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
During that trip, she spoke with King Charles about his mother during a private reception with the royal family and other visiting dignitaries on the eve of the funeral service.
Biden expressed her sympathy for the King and Prince William, highlighting the human toll of grief and the difficulty of grieving in public.
