REINFORCING THEIR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP THE KING WELCOMES PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR TEA AND TALKS AT WINDSOR CASTLE

Their two countries have long been known to share a special relationship, with the UK and the US standing shoulder to shoulder throughout Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.

It was a bond that US President Joe Biden was keen to continue with a tactile display of affection for the King at Windsor Castle on 10 July.

The President was en route to a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, but even amid pressing business, there was time for tea with His Majesty. And the US leader received the warmest of welcomes as the King greeted him in the castle's quadrangle with a display of traditional military pomp and pageantry, followed by a private meeting that lasted longer than planned.

Despite the formality of the event, which was not a state visit but shared many of the trappings of such an occasion, the respect between the men was clear to see. As they shook hands and shared a joke, the President put a hand on the King's elbow and, as they walked to the dais, on his back.

The pair had even dressed in complementary fashion in smart blue suits, reinforcing the President's observation during a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street that morning - that the relationship between the two countries was "rock solid".

FRIENDS REUNITED

It was the President's second meeting with the monarch since his accession to the throne, with the head of state having attended the Queen's funeral in September. In keeping with the tradition whereby US leaders do not attend the coronation of British monarchs, he was not present for Charles's crowning in May, when First Lady Jill Biden was among the guests at Westminster Abbey instead.