Joe Biden ‘unlikely’ to attend King Charles’ coronation

It is unlikely President Joe Biden will attend King Charles’ coronation in May, a source said. 

A source told the Telegraph that it was ‘unlikely’ that Biden, 80, would attend the May 6 coronation as he is expected to make a trip to Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement just a few weeks prior. 

Biden has promised to ‘continue a close friendship with the King and the Queen Consort,’ and a source said he will be ‘represented at the Coronation,’ although it is unclear who will be in attendance at the moment. 

At Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, then-President Dwight Eisenhower also did not attend. A delegate was sent in his place. 

Biden’s missing attendance is just another blow to the new ruler’s coronation, as it was revealed last month star British-performers Adele and Ed Sheeran have said they are too busy to perform at the mega event. 

A source said that it was ‘unlikely’ that Biden, 80, would attend the May 6 coronation as he is expected to make a trip to Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement just a few weeks prior

Biden has promised to ‘continue a close friendship with the King and the Queen Consort,’ and a source said he will be ‘represented at the Coronation,’ although it is unclear who be in attendance at the moment

The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Hello singer was asked to perform after the monarch discussed with organizers his hopes she would appear.

Sources close to Sheeran say he hasn’t been invited but organizers have been told he is busy and unable to play at the Windsor Castle event on May 7, the day after the King is crowned at Westminster Abbey.

A source involved with the project said: ‘The King has suggested a number of people he would like to perform and Adele and Ed were on that list. He was very keen that they were part of the concert.

‘There is a team set up to get the talent signed up but they were unavailable, which was a massive disappointment. They are titans of the showbiz industry and are quintessentially British but also known across the globe. It’s such a shame.’

The King and Biden could potentially see each other at the Good Friday Agreement anniversary

Biden has previously had a very close relationship with Queen Elizabeth, despite his mother telling him not to bow to her in the 1980s. However, he eventually grew fond of the Queen and said he was ‘charmed’ by her wit and ‘moved’ by her kindness

Biden faces the dilemma of fitting the coronation into his own schedule as he is expected to be in Ireland around April 18, making another trip across the Atlantic less likely.

With Biden’s Irish heritage being close to his heart, the source believes Biden is more likely to attend the Good Friday event. 

Another factor that might conflict with the coronation is the potential of Biden launching his 2024 presidential campaign – his rival Donald Trump has already launched his. 

Biden has previously had a very close relationship with Queen Elizabeth, despite his mother telling him not to bow to her in the 1980s. However, he eventually grew fond of the Queen and said he was ‘charmed’ by her wit and ‘moved’ by her kindness. 

The Queen hosted the Bidens for tea at Windsor Castle after the G7 summit in Cornwall last summer.

At the time, Biden said they discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Ed Sheeran (right) and Adele were asked to perform after the monarch issued organizers with a list of musicians he wanted to appear. Adele (left) and Sheeran said they were busy and unable to play at the Windsor Castle event

‘We had a long talk. She was very generous. I don’t think she’d be insulted but she reminded me of my mother,’ he said.

‘In terms of the look of her and just the generosity. She was very gracious.’

Biden ordered flags to half-staff after the death of the 96-year-old British head of state.

And he was the first world leader to sign a book of condolence when he upended his schedule that day to visit the British embassy in Washington D.C.

‘We mourn for all of you,’ he said after the signing, with first lady Jill at his side.

‘She was a great lady. We’re so delighted to get to meet her.’