President Joe Biden's recent trip to the United Kingdom involved a meeting with King Charles III, but it wasn't the full royal shebang. Royal experts clarified to Fox News Digital that the meeting, held before Biden's attendance at the NATO summit, was less formal because it wasn't a state visit. Biden's brief stop in the UK, lasting under 24 hours, focused on reinforcing the countries' bond and discussing climate change with the King.

The meeting, described as a "display of shared strength" by royal commentator Shannon Felton Spence, differed from a state visit, which involves a formal invitation from the head of state and more elaborate protocol. Since Biden's visit was not at the King's invitation, the level of hospitality was less extensive. This explains the absence of tiaras on Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton, as noted by "To Di For Daily" podcast host Kinsey Schofield. The shorter notice also precluded the extensive planning a formal state visit requires.

Author Christopher Andersen emphasized that the less formal nature of the meeting was standard procedure, particularly given the existing rapport between Biden and King Charles. He dismissed any notion of disrespect towards the Bidens, suggesting a future state visit would likely involve the full royal treatment.

This visit was the first by a US president since Donald Trump's state visit in 2019. British journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti highlighted the similar welcome extended to Biden compared to previous presidents, although a state banquet was not part of the itinerary. Sacerdoti pointed out the irony of Biden discussing climate change while traveling by Air Force One and helicopters.

Biden's absence from King Charles's coronation in May, while attended by First Lady Jill Biden and their granddaughter, sparked speculation about US-UK relations. Sacerdoti questioned whether the brief meeting was sufficient to project an image of unity, but acknowledged its importance as a point of coordination before the NATO summit. According to Fox News' Alex Hogan, Biden also discussed economic ties, the war in Ukraine, and Sweden's potential NATO membership with King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.