King Philippe of the Belgians welcomed several visitors to the Royal Palace in Brussels on Tuesday, including US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The King hosted Biden in an audience alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinkin, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmes. The group discussed the ongoing global health crisis, climate change and the relationship between the United States and European Union.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe King, US President and Belgium Prime Minister also held a photo call inside the palace where the momentarily removed their masks for the press.
The President also signed the Royal Palace’s guest book before the conclusion of the meeting. He later wrote on Twitter: “It was an honor to visit the Royal Palace in Brussels and meet with His Majesty The King of Belgium and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.”
Embed from Getty ImagesBiden arrived in Belgium after the recent G7 meeting that took place in the United Kingdom where he had tea with Queen Elizabeth II and met several other members of the Royal Family.
President Biden later travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
King Philippe last met a US President in 2017 when he and Queen Mathilde welcomed President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Belgium. The King also met with President Barack Obama in Belgium and France in 2014 for ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Philippe has met Biden before during the latter’s tenure as Vice President under the Obama Presidency in 2011. At the time, Philippe was the heir to the throne, holding the title the Duke of Brabant.