Jill Biden met with French First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday after visiting Paris with her daughter Ashley, while President Biden is in state.
Dr Biden took his daughter, 42, to France, where she spoke today at an event marking the US’s return to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence under the Trump presidency.
Before the American flag was raised and Dr. Biden addressed the World Heritage Organization this afternoon, mother and daughter descended on the presidential palace.
The trio looked relaxed and suitably patriotic, together wearing the colors of the tricolor and the American flag as they posed for photos on the palace steps.
The two first ladies, who both worked as teachers, shared a friendly reunion when Ms Macron welcomed her counterpart to the official residence with a kiss on the cheek.
US First Lady Jill Biden, daughter of French First Lady Brigitte Macron and the Bidens’ Ashley Biden, pose for photographers as they meet at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris
Ms Macron welcomed her counterpart to the official residence with a kiss on the cheek
The trio looked relaxed and suitably patriotic, together wearing the colors of the tricolor and the American flag as they posed for pictures on the palace steps.
The women have met several times in the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the United States.
During their last meeting, Dr. Biden said that he and Emmanuel Macron’s wife ‘instantly, you know, knew that we liked each other,’ when they met.
Mrs Macron described them as ‘friends’ and returned the warm gesture by holding Dr Biden’s hand.
During Mrs Macron’s first state visit since the start of the Biden presidency, she read from a piece of paper – in English – and thanked the American first lady.
Returning the favor by hosting Dr. Biden and Ashley, the group appeared in good spirits as they spent part of the busy day together.
Ashley previously worked as a social worker and in fashion and now often joins her mother at official events.
However, she previously told Elle magazine that being the first daughter did not come naturally to her.
‘It took about two years to get into the groove of being in this position,’ he told Elle. magazine
‘I’m doing my job as always, but figuring out the role of the first daughter and how I can use it in the most positive way, where it’s not about me, it’s about Americans.
First Lady Jill Biden, left, shakes hands with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO headquarters in Paris,
US First Lady Jill Biden speaks at a flag-raising ceremony marking the return of the United States to UNESCO after an absence of more than half a decade
‘And what I’ve learned is, I want to tell other people’s stories—I want to highlight organizations and share this information.’
Discussing her ambassadorial visit to UNESCO headquarters today, a Biden spokesperson said: ‘As a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunities around the world, the First Lady is honored to help celebrate this important milestone.
‘He looks forward to once again raising the US flag at UNESCO headquarters, demonstrating our country’s commitment to international cooperation in education, science and culture.’
Senior Biden administration officials said the move back to UNESCO fits with President Joe Biden’s goal of strengthening global partnerships and re-committing to American leadership at the United Nations and other international organizations that countries do not share U.S. values.
First Lady Jill Biden, left, and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay attend a ceremony at UNESCO headquarters
Others said Dr. Biden, who teaches English and writing at Virginia Community College, is best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.
Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Dr. Biden will visit a historic site in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1979. It is located on an island in Normandy in the north of the country.
The daughter and mother of US service members, the first lady will visit Brittany American Cemeteries and Memorials to pay her respects to the more than 4,400 US servicemen buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.