Making one of her few public appearances since the death of her beloved husband Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II revealed she hasn’t lost her humor when rubbing shoulders with world leaders at a G-7 reception on Friday.
The three-day summit of the leaders of the Group of Seven economies — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the U.S. — began on Friday and will run through Sunday in the United Kingdom. Friday’s reception at the Eden Project, a botanical garden home to the world’s largest indoor rainforest, was hosted by the 95-year-old reigning monarch.
The queen broke the ice during a photo op alongside political figures including President Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Sitting center platform as cameras flashed, Elizabeth quipped,”Are you supposed to be looking as though you’re enjoying it?” Provoking laughter from the politicians. “We have been enjoying ourselves despite appearances.”
Also in attendance was that the Queen’s son Prince Charles, who is heir to the British throne, in addition to Prince William along with his wife Kate Middleton. It had been the British royal household members’ first significant outing together since the royal funeral was held to the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Elizabeth’s for 73 decades back on April 17.
The reception served as the queen’s original meeting with Biden. He is the 13th U.S. president she’s met during her 69-year reign.
The queen’s memorable moment with leaders happened hours after Initial lady Jill Biden will fulfilled the Duchess of Cambridge for the very first time. Both girls united an early childhood education roundtable and toured a preschool in Cornwall in southwest England.
The first lady is a community college educator and Middleton has focused many of her royal efforts on children’s problems. The duchess previously met with the Obamas in 2011 and 2016.
On Thursday, the Bidens expressed their condolences on Prince Phillip’s posthumous birthday.
“We are holding the total Royal Family in our hearts today, and wishing them peace and relaxation on what could have been Prince Philip’s 100th birthday,” Jill Biden tweeted.