President Joe Biden capped off his first day at the COP26 climate conference on Monday with a royal reception from Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Biden laughed with Prince William, and put a hand on his shoulder at the event at the popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, a short distance from where the climate summit was being held. The Duchess of Cambridge was also seen arriving at the event along with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
He appeared more invigorated than earlier in the day when he was caught resting his eyes during the opening session of the UN-sponsored climate summit, which was attended by several world leaders.
After flying in from Rome where he attended the G20, the 78-year-old president looked to be dozing off dozing off as one speaker underscored the importance of taking action to save the climate. He opened his eyes and appeared to liven up when an aide walked up to him to chat.
Biden then sat forward and rubbed his eyes as Italy’s prime minister took the stage. It came just hours after his G20 press conference on Sunday night where he reverted to a pre-approved list of reporters to answer questions and fueled further attacks from critics questioning his fitness to be President.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted the evening at the recently renovated art gallery, which contains 22 galleries, housing a range of exhibits, including Renaissance art, taxidermy, and artifacts from ancient Egypt.
Biden arrived after his first day at the climate summit, where he apologized for his predecessor Donald Trump taking the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. And he pledged the U.S. would up its financial stake in fighting climate change, arguing the biggest producers of it should be its biggest investors in fixing it.
The Queen was originally supposed to host the event but skipped COP26 on the advice from doctors. In a video-taped address, she urged world leaders to ‘earn a place in history’ and ‘answer the call of those future generations.’
President Joe Biden capped off his first day at the COP26 climate conference on Monday with a royal reception, chatting with Prince William
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greets Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive to attend an evening reception to mark the opening day of the COP26
President Biden takes a selfie during the reception at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow
Biden was laughing and appeared more invigorated than earlier in the day when he was caught resting his eyes during the opening session of the UN-sponsored climate summit, which was attended by several world leaders
Her Majesty, 95, told leaders ‘to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.’
She went on to say that ‘none of us will live forever’ and ‘we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps’ as she urged leaders to reach decisive COP climate change deals.
In her most personal speech ever, the monarch also paid tribute to Prince Philip and described how ‘the impact of the environment on human progress’ was a subject close to the heart of her ‘dear late husband’ – who in 1969 told an academic gathering: ‘If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance.’
He stayed for nearly an hour. He even took some selfies with fans.
Kate Middleton looked the picture of poise in a blue coat dress and navy heels as she walked alongside Prince William in a dapper suit at the arrival.
Wearing her hair back in a low bun, the Duchess opted for a glamorous make-up look for the ceremony tonight where she was hosted Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Boris Johnson as well as key members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the Winners and Finalists of the first Earthshot Prize Awards.
Her custom dress came from Eponine’s SS20 collection and made from a double wool crepe fabric, the price is available on application but similar dresses cost around $3,278.
Meanwhile, Camilla, 74, opted for a teal Bruce Oldfield featuring buttons recycled from another outfit.
William and Kate’s appearance comes just hours after royal couple, both 39, visited Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun to meet with Scouts from and learn more about the group’s’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign.
The event marks the first engagement for the couple since they arrived in the Scottish city for the COP26 conference which has brought world leaders together to discuss urgent action on climate change.
Earlier on Monday, Biden delivered his plans for cutting carbon emissions with a dose of hot air on Monday, as organizers of a global climate summit ‘gonged’ him for blasting past his allotted three minutes.
The famously talkative president pushed the benefits of a green economy saying the U.S. would lead by example.
Ignoring the audible warnings, he said the ‘eyes of history’ were on the delegates and unveiled a detailed plan to cut emissions on the path to a net zero carbon economy by 2050.
It will demonstrate to the world, he said, ‘the United States is not only back at the table, but hopefully leading by the power of our example.
‘I know it hasn’t been the case. And that’s why my administration is working overtime to show that our Climate Commitment is action, not words.’
World leaders were told to stick to three minutes for their speeches by organizers.
Transgressors were reminded of the limit by a gong ringing out every minute once their time was up.
Eight times it sounded for Biden.
The warning made little difference and he wrapped up after more than 11 minutes.
Minutes later he did the same thing in a side meeting, speaking for eight minutes when participants had been told to stick to two.
On this occasion, British Prime Minister came to his rescue, saying Biden had not been in the room when the instructions were laid out.
‘Everybody will understand the huge importance of the United States in helping the world to take action and show solidarity,’ he said.
‘I think for that reason alone, I think it was worth allowing the rules … to be bent.’
Administration officials have made clear that U.S. leadership is the theme of their six-day trip to Europe.
They do not say it explicitly but they want to draw a line under the Trump years and and an ‘America First outlook
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, from left, chat at the reception
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greets Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge as they arrive to attend an evening reception at COP26
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, (left), speaks to the Duchess of Cornwall during the reception
The Queen urged world leaders to ‘earn a place in history’ and ‘to rise above the politics of the moment in her address to leaders at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
President Biden appeared invigorated at the reception
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson greeted VIPs at the reception
President Joe Biden, center, poses for a group photo during the leader reception
President Joe Biden’s motorcade in Argyle Street, Glasgow, on his way to Kelvingrove Art Gallery
The Duchess of Cambridge proved she scrubbed up well in a dazzling evening gown to attend the Earthshot reception at Cop26 in Glasgow tonight.
Not so sure! William didn’t look pleased as his wife offered him a tub of dead larvae
Kate Middleton looked the picture of poise in a blue coat dress and navy heels as she walked alongside Prince William in a dapper suit.
William and Kate joined Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall for the ceremony in Glasgow this evening
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