Jill Biden joins Rishi Sunak for Downing Street Big Lunch, as thousands host street parties across the country
US First Lady, Jill Biden, joined Rishi Sunak at the Downing Street Big Lunch on Sunday, as thousands of people held street parties across the country celebrating the King’s coronation.
Ms Biden and her granddaughter, Finnegan Biden, – who represented the US President at the coronation – were warmly greeted by the Prime Minister and his wife, Akshata Murty. They were seen chatting and smiling before taking time to meet guests.
Recipients of the Points of Light Award, given to ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community, were among the invitees to the lunch, along with Ukrainians who have come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme after Russia invaded their country, as well as their UK sponsors.
Other guests include young people from UK Youth and the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs.
“Come rain or shine, thousands of friends and neighbours are coming together this weekend to put up the bunting, pour the tea and cut the cake at street parties and community events across the UK,” Mr Sunak said.
Coronation quiche, coronation chicken, sausage rolls, and smoked salmon are all on the menu, with the food all being sourced from farmers across the UK.
At least 3,000 Big Lunch parties are taking place today to mark the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Laura Ashurst, a breast cancer campaigner from Stokesley in North Yorkshire, was sitting opposite the US First Lady at the Big Lunch.
She said: “It’s been absolutely amazing. We’ve met some amazing people from all over the country.
“There’s so many people doing so much admirable and amazing work in their communities and for charity.”
Mrs Ashurst said she and the First Lady discussed the work Mrs Biden has been doing with people with breast cancer, and exchanged some stories.
She told the PA news agency: “It’s an absolute privilege to be here.”
Zoe Clark-Coates, who runs a charity with her husband, Andy, supporting people who have gone through baby loss and is also co-chairing a pregnancy loss review for the Government, said it was “such an honour to be amongst so many people doing such great work”.
