Jill Biden has warm message for Royals and says she’s been looking forward to meeting The Queen

Jill Biden said on Thursday she was holding the Royal Family in her heart on what would have been Prince Philip‘s 100th birthday.

Her warm message came ahead of her and President Joe Biden‘s meeting with The Queen on Sunday. 

‘We are holding the entire Royal Family in our hearts today, and wishing them peace and comfort on what would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday,’ the first lady wrote on Twitter. 

The Bidens had sent both public and private messages of condolence to The Queen after Prince Philip died in April.

The first lady told reporters in Cornwall the Bidens were looking forward to their meeting with the 95-year-old monarch.

‘Joe and I are both looking forward to meeting the Queen. That’s an exciting part of the visit for us. We’ve looked forward to this for weeks and now it’s finally here. It’s a beautiful beginning,’ she said. 

Her comments came after she and President Biden met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson.

The first lady wore a jacket with the word ‘love’ on the back.

‘I think that we’re bringing love from America,’ she said. 

Jill Biden said she was holding the Royal Family in her heart on what would have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday, sending a warm message of support ahead of her and President Joe Biden’s meeting with The Queen on Sunday

Jill Biden wore a jacket with the message 'love' on it on Thursday

Jill Biden wore a jacket with the message ‘love’ on it on Thursday

Jill and Joe Biden met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson on Thursday, ahead of the G7 summit

Jill and Joe Biden met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson on Thursday, ahead of the G7 summit 

The Queen, pictured in the gardens of Windsor Castle on June 2, where she will host the Bidens

The Queen, pictured in the gardens of Windsor Castle on June 2, where she will host the Bidens

The Queen will welcome President Biden, who will be the 13th serving US president she has formally received, and his wife at the dais in the quadrangle on Sunday when she hosts them following the G7 summit.

A Guard of Honour will be formed of the Queen’s Company First Battalion Grenadier Guards, who will give a Royal Salute, and the US National Anthem will be played.

President Biden will then accompany the Officer Commanding the Guard of Honour, Major James Taylor, and Major General Christopher Ghika, to inspect the Guard of Honour.

The President will then return to the dais to watch the military march past alongside The Queen and his wife. The Bidens will then join the Queen for tea in the castle. 

The Queen has received four other presidents and their wives at Windsor Castle in recent times – Donald and Melania Trump in 2018; Barack and Michelle Obama in 2016; George W and Laura Bush in 2008; and Ronald and Nancy Reagan in 1982.

The monarch has met 12 out of 14 serving US presidents so far during her reign, with President Lyndon B Johnson being the only exception. Mr Biden will be the 13th.

Which presidents has the Queen previously met at Windsor? 

  • 2018: Donald and Melania Trump
  • 2016: Barack and Michelle Obama
  • 2008: George W and Laura Bush
  • 1982: Ronald and Nancy Reagan

The Grenadier Guards, who will form the Guard of Honour at the castle this weekend, are one of the British Army’s longest-serving units.

As well as operational duties, the Grenadier Guards also have a ceremonial role guarding the Royal Residences, including Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

The carefully-choreographed arrangements echo the welcome given to Trump in July 2018, when the then- president travelled to Windsor to meet the monarch.

Trump and the Queen had afternoon tea together in the castle’s Oak Room, with the meeting lasting longer than expected.

It was due to last around half-an-hour, but overran by almost 20 minutes.

In 2008, when then-president Bush had tea with the monarch at Windsor, he enjoyed a traditional English afternoon spread of tea, small sandwiches and cakes in the White Drawing Room.

The Queen will greet the Bidens at the dais in the castle’s quadrangle.  

Prince Philip, who died in April, would have been 100 on Thursday; above he's pictured in July 2020 during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle ahead of his retirement

Prince Philip, who died in April, would have been 100 on Thursday; above he’s pictured in July 2020 during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle ahead of his retirement

The Queen with Donald Trump and his wife Melania at Windsor Castle in July 2018, as they walk from the Quadrangle after inspecting the Guard of Honour during the president's visit

The Queen with Donald Trump and his wife Melania at Windsor Castle in July 2018, as they walk from the Quadrangle after inspecting the Guard of Honour during the president’s visit

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh stand with then-president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle ahead of a private lunch on April 22, 2016

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh stand with then-president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle ahead of a private lunch on April 22, 2016

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as the Duke of Edinburgh points to the ceiling, with then-president George W Bush and his wife Laura at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle on June 15, 2008

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as the Duke of Edinburgh points to the ceiling, with then-president George W Bush and his wife Laura at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle on June 15, 2008

The Queen and Prince Philip host then-president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan at Windsor Castle for a State Banquet on June 7, 1982

The Queen and Prince Philip host then-president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan at Windsor Castle for a State Banquet on June 7, 1982

In 2018, the Queen accompanied Trump to inspect the Guard of Honour at Windsor.

Escorting a visiting head of state to inspect the troops is a role which usually fell to the late Duke of Edinburgh, before he retired in 2017.