The recent working visit of U.S. President Joe Biden to Windsor Castle, where he met with King Charles III, has stirred discussions after footage of their encounter appeared to show the president seeming disoriented.
Upon their meeting, the two leaders shook hands and then proceeded to a platform where their respective national anthems, "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Save the King," were performed. Throughout the occasion, the 74-year-old monarch was observed carefully guiding the president, who is six years his senior, up the stairs to the stage, with President Biden maintaining a grip on King Charles' back.
Observations on Twitter spotlighted President Biden's seeming dependence on King Charles for stability. One user noted, "Joe needs a walker. He grabs onto people to steady himself as he has no balance anymore," while another remarked that the king appeared to be instructing the president "where to go and where to look just like he was a child."
There were also claims that President Biden violated royal etiquette by touching King Charles repeatedly and walking in front of him during the inspection of the Welsh Guards. Buckingham Palace has dismissed allegations of protocol breach.
Nile Gardiner, Director of the British Heritage Foundation's Thatcher Center for Freedom, voiced his observations, remarking that the president appeared to be "sort of wandering around."
Based on the Windsor images, Gardiner told Newsweek, "Biden almost didn't know where he was... It's not always clear" that the president "is in complete control."
He noted that when Biden was reviewing the British troops, the king had to provide considerable guidance. Gardiner further commented on the somewhat disorganized nature of the visit, noting, "some of the footage was a bit odd" and the "whole visit just looked pointless."
In Gardiner's view, the president's visit lacked thorough planning and significant attention, both uncommon for a U.S. president's visit, usually a "very big deal."
People reported the event was a low-profile visit as it was not a state visit which would normally involve a palace banquet attended by other royal family members. The primary focus of the visit was discussions on climate change. Both leaders were updated on the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum's efforts to persuade corporations and private finance to address the climate crisis.
While in the U.K., President Biden also had a brief meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. According to Downing Street, the two leaders discussed the need to strengthen their alliance and continue supporting Ukraine, as well as economic relations.
A future U.K. visit by President Biden is anticipated as he has accepted an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit, although a date has yet to be confirmed by the White House.
