Joe Biden tells Boris Johnson ‘we both married above our station’ as they hit G7 summit with Carrie and Jill

 JOE Biden told Boris Johnson "we both married above our station" this afternoon as the pair and their wives met for the first time at the G7.

The PM and the US President sat down for face-to-face bilateral talks in Cornwall - while Carrie Symonds hosted First Lady Jill for tea.

Read our Joe Biden UK trip LIVE blog for the latest updates

Boris Johnson and Carrie stride along Carbis Bay with Joe and Jill Biden
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Boris Johnson and Carrie stride along Carbis Bay with Joe and Jill BidenCredit: AFP
The PM hosts President Biden and First Lady Jill in Cornwall this afternoon
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The PM hosts President Biden and First Lady Jill in Cornwall this afternoonCredit: Getty - Pool
The PM and US President sit down for bilateral talks in Carbis Bay
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The PM and US President sit down for bilateral talks in Carbis BayCredit: AP

Although tensions over Northern Ireland have risen in the run-up to the meeting, the pair were all smiles and kicked off with light-hearted banter.

Speaking to reporters at the Carbis Bay hotel, President Biden joked: "I told the PM we have something in common, we both married way above our station."

Mr Johnson - who last month wed his fiancee Carrie - replied: "I'm not going to disagree with the president there... Or indeed on anything else."

The pair greeted with a Covid-friendly elbow bump this afternoon before strolling along the beach at Carbis Bay with their wives.

They were due to meet at historic St Michael's Mount but had to alter their plans at the last minute due to bad weather.

Instead they stared out over the sea, with the President telling his British counterpart: "It's gorgeous, I don't want to go home."

What's happened so far...

The G7 summit starts tomorrow but the Mr Johnson and President Biden met a day early to cement the two nations' longstanding alliance.

Ahead of the get-together President Biden vowed to "affirm the special relationship" between the UK and the US.

He said: "Today, I’ll be meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the G7 Summit in Cornwall.

"I look forward to affirming the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom and discussing how we’ll tackle our shared challenges together in the years ahead."

The two leaders look at pictures of the original Atlantic Charter as they look to resume transatlantic travel after Covid
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The two leaders look at pictures of the original Atlantic Charter as they look to resume transatlantic travel after CovidCredit: AFP
The two leaders wear masks as they head inside the Carbis Bay hotel for talks
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The two leaders wear masks as they head inside the Carbis Bay hotel for talksCredit: Reuters
Boris leads the group as they walk along Carbis Bay for bilateral talks
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Boris leads the group as they walk along Carbis Bay for bilateral talksCredit: AFP
The meet had to be moved from St Michael's Mount due to bad weather
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The meet had to be moved from St Michael's Mount due to bad weatherCredit: Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street
A ring of steel has been put around Carbis Bay for the summit
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A ring of steel has been put around Carbis Bay for the summitCredit: AP

But privately the US President has sensationally accused the PM of "inflaming" tensions in Ireland ahead of their first meeting.

He is expected to address post-Brexit peace with the Prime Minister to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is protected - as Britain and the EU try to resolve the issue of checks in the Irish Sea.

Yet the President and PM will also thrash out a plan to agree a new "Atlantic Charter" to resume transatlantic travel after the pandemic.

Navy patrol boats are stationed off the coast
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Navy patrol boats are stationed off the coastCredit: AP
The quiet Cornish resort is hosting this year's G7
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The quiet Cornish resort is hosting this year's G7Credit: AFP
Mr Biden accused the PM of 'inflaming' problems in Ireland, according to reports
Mr Biden accused the PM of 'inflaming' problems in Ireland, according to reportsThe summit would focus on "building back greener, building back better" after the pandemic, he said.

After the summit ends, the president and first lady will meet the Queen at Windsor Castle.

Mr Biden will then depart for Brussels and later Geneva in Switzerland.

Despite the late-night arrival, the pair looked dashing as they stepped off the plane for the second time on Wednesday
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Despite the late-night arrival, the pair looked dashing as they stepped off the plane for the second time on WednesdayCredit: Reuters
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk upon arrival at Cornwall Airport
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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk upon arrival at Cornwall AirportCredit: Reuters
The runway lit up for the President's arrival in southern England
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The runway lit up for the President's arrival in southern EnglandCredit: AP
Biden has landed in Cornwall ahead of the talks
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Biden has landed in Cornwall ahead of the talksCredit: AFP
Joe Biden gives rallying speech to US troops in Britain and says 'I'll tell Mr Putin what I want him to know'

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