The inevitable happened. Joe Biden stopped in London on his way to the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. He had his first formal meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle.

Biden visited British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at No. 10 Downing Street, his first visit there since he became president, though he has met with Sunak six times. They had tea and it must have been a little awkward because Biden aggressively shut down Sunak’s favored candidate to replace NATO Secretary General Jens Stolenberg. Sunak preferred UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. Biden wanted a woman (the first woman to hold the position) and is supporting EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. She was a disaster as Germany’s Defense Minister. French President Macron got her the job with the EU Commission and now he wants her to be the next Secretary General of NATO. Biden is just concerned about a diversity hire, as is his history in hiring. Typically, the United States has the most sway in this appointment so she is on the path to her next job.

When Biden arrived at Windsor Castle, he was all about being handsy with King Charles. He put his hand on the King’s arm when they shook hands. Then it looked like he took the King’s arm to steady himself as they walked away from Biden’s car. Biden put his hand on the King’s back as they walked. It was rather jarring to see physical contact between a royal and the president. Royal protocol was such that no one touched Queen Elizabeth, the King’s mother, and it was assumed that the protocol was the same for King Charles. Remember when Michelle Obama hugged Queen Elizabeth? So, did Joe Biden breach royal protocol by putting his hands on King Charles?

Nah. The Palace is polite enough to brush such concerns away. Things are more casual now then in the Queen’s day.

When Biden’s car arrived at Windsor Castle, King Charles greeted him with a handshake. They then made their way up a few stairs to a platform to watch a band play both countries’ national anthems and inspect the Welsh Guards.

But there was some speculation that Biden broke royal protocol by casually putting his hand on King Charles’ during their exchange.

However, a Buckingham Palace source confirms King Charles was “entirely comfortable” with Biden touching the monarch on the back. “What a wonderful symbol of warmth and affection it was between both the individuals and their nations,” the source says.

King Charles and Biden allegedly talked about climate change and they were briefed on the Climate Finance Mobilization Forum’s discussions about how to encourage big business and private finance to help. I wonder if Biden stayed awake for the whole visit.

There were several embarrassing moments when King Charles had to lead Biden around and point him in the right direction. Biden was his usual dazed and confused self. Jill wasn’t there to take his arm.

In London, Biden exits Marine One and stops to give what appears to be a challenge coin to one of the two Marines standing guard — then completely ignores the second Marine and walks away. pic.twitter.com/ZzcrNxvg64

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2023

Biden meets with King Charles at Windsor Castle pic.twitter.com/N0CDLtG4B5

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2023

King Charles has trouble getting Biden to move on pic.twitter.com/wSA68xb6VA

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2023

Biden is confused again pic.twitter.com/02yMRCdLty

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2023

After he left Windsor Castle, he traveled on to the NATO summit.

A confused Joe Biden has arrived in Lithuania for the NATO summit pic.twitter.com/0KVp0DEwK2

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2023

All predictable. This is how he acts everywhere he goes, whether it is at home or abroad.