The Queen shows 'warmth' and an 'attentive' nature towards Joe Biden during their first meeting at Windsor Castle

The Queen hosted the President for afternoon tea

Joe Biden meets the Queen
The Queen shows warmth towards Joe Biden in first meeting
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen hosted President of the United States, Joe Biden and his wife Jill at Windsor Castle over the weekend. And body language expert, Judi James reveals she was "warm" and "attentive" during the special meeting.


The Queen has met 13 American presidents during her time on the British throne, but how did her afternoon with Joe Biden compare? 

Her Majesty hosted Joe and his wife Jill—who stunned in a powder blue two-piece— for afternoon tea at Windsor Castle on Sunday, just days after attending the G7 summit. And all eyes were on their interactions to see how the 95-year-old Monarch reacted to the new president.

According to body language expert and psychologist Judi James, Joe arrived with an "air of caution"—as he was no doubt nervous to meet the Queen. 

Joe Biden meets the Queen

Joe Biden looked cautious and frail, according to Judi James 

(Image credit: Getty)

"Joe arrived looking surprisingly frail and a little anxious, pausing on the steps and standing on stage with his arms hanging awkwardly, partly to the front of his body as though he was over-aware of standing and moving in the right way," she explains.

"He said the Queen reminded him of his mother and he might have been struggling to avoid any of the kind of touch or affection rituals that are appropriate for a mother/son relationship but barely apply to our stoic Queen."

Joe Biden meets the Queen

The Queen used attentive signals to ease their nerves 

(Image credit: Getty)

Ever the natural, Judi says the Queen sensed Joe's nerves and put him at ease with her "attentive and steering" signals.

Judi explains, "As a result of this air of caution from the President, the Queen seems to be using attentive and steering signals: using eye contact as they speak and pointing out directions to help make his choreography easier. 

"Biden didn’t look over-briefed about what to do and when and the Queen moved into host mode in what looked like a bid to help."

Her natural people skills were also recently addressed in this unearthed Princess Margaret interview from the 1960s, in which the late royal can be heard showering her older sister with praise. 

Joe Biden meets the Queen

The Queen hosted Jill and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle 

(Image credit: Getty)

While Judi sensed a "warmth" in their meeting, she says the Queen—having reigned for 70 years—rarely gives much away when it comes to her body language signals.

Judi reveals, "Their relationship signals suggested it was a cordial meeting with some warmth but both these world leaders are very adept at producing signals like this no matter who they are hosting, so there are no real clues of anything more meaningful here."

Georgia Farquharson

Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."