The Queen hosted G7 world leaders at a reception at the Eden Project this evening when a day of political talks gave way to the “soft diplomacy” of the monarchy.
Three generations of the royal family were present for the event staged at Cornwall's famous biomes, attended by presidents and prime ministers and their partners.
The Queen was joined by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
William and Kate are taking part in their first G7 events – another milestone in their progression as senior royals.
The monarchy does not wield power but has influence and uses what is known as “soft diplomacy” to help the UK renew and strengthen friendships with its allies and partners around the world.
Ahead of the arrival of the royal family, many of the G7 leaders, some with spouses, walked through the flora and fauna at the visitor attraction on their way to the reception.
Queen Elizabeth II speaks to US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill as she attends a reception at the Eden Project with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and G7 leaders, Picture: Jack Hill/The Times/PA Wire
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie were waiting to greet the royal party when they arrived.
The Queen walked just ahead of Charles and Camilla and they were followed a few paces behind by William and Kate.
After a brief exchange of words between Mr Johnson and the Queen, she led the way into the reception and was followed by the senior royals.
Queen Elizabeth II, The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge attend an event at the Eden Project in celebration of The Big Lunch initiative. Picture: Oli Scarff/PA Wire
Last to arrive after the royal family was US President Joe Biden with First Lady Jill Biden.
Later the Queen posed with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden for an official photograph.
Earlier in the evening crowds gathered at St Austell Train Station to try to catch a glimpse of the Queen, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Ccornwall, arrive on the Royal Train.
People gather around the St Austell Train station trying to catch a glimpse of the royal family. HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Of Wales arrived with The British Royal Train ,followed by cheering from the crowds.#G7Cornwall #Royals #HMQueen #Cornwall pic.twitter.com/Al83TPCGHE
— Bobby Angelove (@AngeloveBobby) June 11, 2021
It is incredibly rare to find the three most senior royals attending the same event together, particularly outside London, but then it is not every day that the UK hosts the G7 Summit.
Earlier in the day the Duchess of Cambridge was joined by the US First Lady Jill Biden for a visit to Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, where they toured classrooms and met children.
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They are reported to be dining on a menu including turbot brought into Newlyn, served with Cornish new potatoes.
Dessert will be English strawberry pavlova followed by a cheese course that will feature Cornish Gouda, Cornish yarg, Helford blue.
The meal will end with petit fours that will include, of course, clotted cream fudge.
It will be cooked by Emily Scott, chef at the Watergate Bay hotel near Newquay.
The full menu for Friday night will be:
– Starter: spiced melon, gazpacho, coconut, high note herbs.
– Main: Turbot roasted on the bone with Cornish new potatoes and wild garlic pesto with greens from the local Padstow kitchen gardens.
– Cornish cheese course: Gouda, Cornish yarg, helford blue.
– Dessert: English strawberry pavlova.
– Petit fours: clotted cream fudge, mini clotted cream ice cream cone with chocolate earl grey truffles.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson arriving for a reception at the Eden Project. Picture: Jack Hill/The Times/PA Wire
Tomorrow night's dinner will be a less formal affair, with the leaders tucking into a barbecue on the beach in Carbis Bay cooked by Simon Stallard, from the Hidden Hut in Portscatho.
The visiting leaders will also be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows.
They will be served:
– Canapes including: sparkling scallops, Curgurrell crab claws and Portscatho mackerel.
– Main: Seared and smokey Moorland sirloin, Newlyn lobster and scorched leeks served with sides of layered Cornish potato chips, St Just purple sprouting broccoli and salt-baked beetroot.
– Dessert: Beach Hut Sundae.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie with G7 leaders. Picture: Jack Hill/The Times/PA Wire
Afterwards the leaders will also be able to have baked brie, hot buttered rum and toasted marshmallows around fire pits on the beach.
Sea shanty group Du Hag Owr will provide the musical accompaniment to the event.
To drink they will be offered Cornish sparkling wine, German Riesling, Australian Shiraz, Cornish beer and a hedgerow fizz cocktail.
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