Jill Biden meets France’s first lady Brigitte Macron….with daughter Ashley Biden in tow as America re-enters UNESCO after five year hiatus

• The two first ladies, who have both worked as teachers, shared a warm welcome
• Dr Biden spoke at UNESCO as US rejoins after absence under Trump presidency 

Jill Biden has met with French First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysée Palace after jetting into Paris with her daughter Ashley yesterday, while President Biden remains stateside.

Dr Biden took her daughter, 42, to France, where she today spoke at a ceremony to mark the return of the US to UNESCO membership after a five-year absence under the Trump presidency.

Ahead of the American flag raising and address by Dr Biden to the world heritage agency this afternoon, the mother and daughter dropped in on the presidential palace. 

The trio looked at ease and suitably patriotic, together wearing the colours of the tricolor and the American flag as they posed for photos on the steps of the palace. 

The two first ladies, who have both worked as teachers, shared a friendly reunion as Mrs Macron welcomed her counterpart to the official residence by kissing her on the cheeks. 

US First Lady Jill Biden, France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, and daughter of the Bidens Ashley Biden, pose for photographers as they meet at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris

Mrs Macron welcomed her counterpart to the official residence by kissing her on the cheeks

The trio looked at ease and suitably patriotic, together wearing the colours of the tricolor and the American flag as they posed for photos on the steps of the palace

The women have met several times over the past two years, including in Washington last December when Macron was on a state visit to the US.

During their last meeting, Dr Biden said she and Emmanuel Macron’s wife ‘instantly, you know, knew that we liked each other,’ when they met.

Mrs Macron returned the warm gesture, describing them as ‘friends’ and holding Dr Biden’s hand.

During Mrs Macron’s first visit stateside 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 has previously worked as a social worker and in fashion, and now often joins her mother on official occasions.

However, she previously told Elle magazine that becoming the First Daughter did not come naturally to her.

‘It took about two years to get into the groove of being in this position,’ she told Elle. magazine. 

‘I’m doing my work as I always have been, but kind of figuring out the role as First Daughter, and how can I 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 the UNESCO headquarters in Paris,

US First Lady Jill Biden speaks during a flag raising ceremony for the return of the United States to UNESCO after an over half decade absence

‘And what I’ve learned is, I want to tell the story of others—I want to lift up organizations and share this information.’

Discussing her ambassadorial visit to the UNSESCO headquarters today, a Biden spokesperson said: ‘The first lady, as a lifelong educator and believer in the power of educational opportunity across the world, is honored to help celebrate this important milestone. 

‘She looks forward to raising the flag for the United States once again at the UNESCO headquarters, showing our country’s commitment to international cooperation in education, science, and culture.’ 

Senior Biden administration officials said returning to UNESCO fits President Joe Biden’s goal of strengthening global partnerships and recommitting to American leadership at the U.N. and other international organizations to serve as a counter to nations that do not share U.S. values.

First Lady Jill Biden, left, and Unesco Director General Audrey Azoulay attend a ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters

Others said Dr Biden, who teaches English and writing at a Virginia community college, was best suited to represent the United States in Paris on Tuesday.

Before returning to Washington on Wednesday, Dr Biden will tour a historic venue in France, Mont-Saint-Michel, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine abbey that was listed as a World Heritage site in 1979. It sits on an island in Normandy, in the north of the country.

A daughter and mother of U.S. service members, the first lady will also visit Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial to pay respects to the more than 4,400 U.S. service members buried there, most of whom died in Normandy and Brittany during World War II.

Source: Read Full Article