Yahoo News The Queen, Charles, Camilla, William and Kate Mount a Historic Charm Offensive to Greet G-7 Leaders
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Queen Elizabeth was joined by her son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and his son Prince William and wife Kate Middleton in welcoming world leaders to the G-7 summit.
The presence of these five senior working royals marked a historic demonstration of royal partnership with the U.K. government in support of global diplomacy, senior members of the Royal Family arrived at the eco-visitor attraction the Eden Project for a reception with the leaders who have gathered in southwest England to discuss how to "build back better" amid ongoing the global pandemic recovery.
The royals were first greeted by the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and then spent around 40 minutes at the evening party before the Queen, 95, posed for an official photograph, called a "family photo" by organizers, with the other heads of state.
It was the first time she has met President Joe Biden and his wife First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Biden is the 13th serving U.S. President the Queen has met during her nearly 70-year reign.
The Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate arrive at the Eden Project as they prepare to host the leaders of the G7 at a joint dinnerhttps://t.co/yXbpCKLGhv pic.twitter.com/SYh3XULINo
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It was the first of a few events that the Royals were taking part in at the Eden Project. After the photo, the Queen, Camilla, 73, and Kate, 39, are set to attend a reception with volunteers who are taking part in the Big Jubilee Lunch that will be a centerpiece of next year's celebrations marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
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For their part, Charles, 72, and William, 38, were slated to head to a meeting with G-7 business leaders on Friday evening.
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Earlier on Friday, Kate, 39, was joined by the First Lady as they visited a local preschool to talk about Kate's initiatives to help families and youngsters through her 'early years' project and education.
On Sunday, the Queen will host the Bidens for tea at Windsor Castle, after a brief parade welcome in the magnificent lawned quadrangle.
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.
— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) June 10, 2021
The Queen's journey to Cornwall from Windsor Castle on Friday came in a poignant week: Thursday was the day that would have been the 100th birthday of the late Prince Philip, who died in April. Ahead of the Bidens' meeting with the Queen, Dr. Biden tweeted supportively that she and President Biden were thinking of the family in their grief this week.
