Joe Biden 'will turn down' invitation to King Charles' coronation as Americans insist it's not a snub

1 April 2023, 11:09

Joe Biden is not expected to attend the coronation
Joe Biden is not expected to attend the coronation. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Will Taylor

Joe Biden is expected to turn down an invitation to the King's coronation in May.

The US president could instead send his wife, the first lady Jill Biden, in his stead, with the Americans reportedly keen to avoid any suggestions of a "snub".

Reports say a delegation will be sent but Mr Biden will not join the array of heads of state who will be in London for the coronation on May 6, including from France, Spain, Ireland and Japan.

However, sources said the relationship between Charles and Mr Biden was strong and there was no threat to the "special relationship" between the UK and the US.

Read more: King Charles thanks Germany 'from the bottom of my heart' for reaction to Queen Elizabeth's death in historic visit

Mr Biden could meet the King when he visits Northern Ireland ahead of the coronation, on April 11.

Buckingham Palace has asked some of the dignitaries to confirm they will attend by Monday, The Telegraph said, but the US has not yet formally replied.

Joe Biden is set to turn down an invitation to the King's coronation
Joe Biden is set to turn down an invitation to the King's coronation. Picture: Getty

A source said there "may still be some efforts under way to see if Biden can be persuaded to come to the coronation" while another said plans to decline were not set in stone.

A Biden administration source noted Mr Biden's age – he is 80 – and that travelling abroad takes it out of him.

Read more: King Charles dragged into 'woke' row between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Travelling across to Ireland, then doing the trip again to visit London weeks later, could be too much, and his attendance at Elizabeth II's funeral might be thought of as "kind of enough", the source said.

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP who chairs the defence select committee, told the newspaper: "Whilst we'd hope Joe Biden would be invited, there is no historical protocol for a US president to attend royal coronations, so we should not read too much into any absence."

King Charles will be coronated in May
King Charles will be coronated in May. Picture: Alamy

"America will be represented, and it will be telling who the president chooses to send."

The last coronation, Elizabeth II's, was not attended by President Eisenhower, who instead sent a delegation.

Scotland's new first minister, Humza Yousaf, will go, despite his republican ideology.

During the week, King Charles visited Germany in his first trip as monarch, taking part in war memorial events and addressing the German parliament in Berlin, where he received a standing ovation.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

King Charles in Dubai

Charles to tell world leaders 'the Earth does not belong to us' at Cop28 as he 'prays for action on climate'

Israel Palestinians

Israel announces resumption of combat in Gaza Strip as truce with Hamas expires

Parts of the UK are set to see 5cm of snow on Friday

Brits to get 5cm of snow in wintry blast as temperatures plummet to -10C, after schools close

The IDF said fighting had resumed

Israel-Hamas restarts as truce deadline expires, after IDF intercepts missile fired from Gaza

Released prisoner

Israeli military confirms release of six more hostages in Gaza Strip

Rishi Sunak will call for an "era of action" on the climate

Sunak to call for 'era of action' on climate at Cop28 - despite watering down green measures at home

Omid Scobie has insisted he never sent out a book including two royals' names amid racism allegations

Dutch translator on Omid Scobie's Endgame insists she was sent manuscript with two royals' names in race row

Lloyds banking group is closing more branches in 2024.

Lloyds group to close 45 branches as Labour pledges to keep banks back on the high street - is your local affected?

Hall and Oates

Hall and Oates row: Judge extends pause on Oates’ sale of stake in business

Hamas has claimed Israel is refusing to take back the bodies of the Bibas family

Hamas releases propaganda video of father of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas saying Israel refuses to take his family's bodies

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans

Three officers injured as Polish football fans unleash 'planned and systematic violence' on police ahead of Villa game

William and Kate dazzled on the red carpet as they brushed off Scobie's claims

William and Kate all smiles on red carpet as royals brush aside storm around Omid Scobie's book Endgame

Opec sign

Saudi Arabia extends cut in oil it sends to world in bid to boost prices

Exclusive
An 18-month row over pay, job security and conditions has come to an end, for now

'Provoke us again and we will respond in kind': Mick Lynch issues new threat to government after pay deal halts strikes

Matt Hancock appeared at the Covid inquiry on Thursday

Cummings a 'malign actor' and 'missed opportunities': 11 revelations from Matt Hancock's Covid inquiry appearance

Phillip Hancock

Man executed in Oklahoma over double killing in 2001