
Journalists get a sneak peek on the desk setting and menu for President Biden’s state dinner to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on October 24, 2023.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Conceal caption
Toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Journalists get a sneak peek on the desk setting and menu for President Biden’s state dinner to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on October 24, 2023.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
President Biden hosts Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a state dinner on Wednesday. However the White Home considerably diminished its deliberate celebrations – which took months to organize – as a result of disaster within the Center East.
First Girl Jill Biden had invited the Georgia B-52s to offer musical leisure on the dinner, however she advised reporters on Tuesday that she had modified these plans. The band will attend the dinner as friends, however the Military, Air Pressure and U.S. Marine Corps bands will carry out as a substitute.
“We are actually in a time when many are dealing with grief and ache, so we’ve got made some changes to the leisure portion of the night,” the First Girl mentioned.

First Girl Jill Biden speaks throughout a media preview of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state dinner.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Conceal caption
Toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
First Girl Jill Biden speaks throughout a media preview of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state dinner.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Here is what’s on the listing
The White Home advised reporters that within the night, the leaders and their friends will dine in a pavilion on the South Garden coated in a sequence of colourful materials impressed by the colours of the sundown. Tables will likely be embellished with pink roses, Australian eucalyptus, dahlias and delphiniums.
“Strengthening our partnerships and relationships with our allies is essential, particularly in these turbulent occasions,” Jill Biden mentioned Tuesday, reviewing the state dinner menu.
“Meals brings consolation, reassurance and therapeutic, and we hope this dinner supplies a little bit of that as properly,” she mentioned.
Visitor chef Katie Patton, who has eating places in North Carolina, created a menu that included butternut squash soup, roasted beet salad, and sarsaparilla-braised quick ribs.

Visitor chef Katie Paton exhibits reporters braised sarsaparilla quick ribs, the primary course for the Australian Prime Minister’s state dinner.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Conceal caption
Toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Visitor chef Katie Paton exhibits reporters braised sarsaparilla quick ribs, the primary course for the Australian Prime Minister’s state dinner.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
America is deepening relations with Australia to confront China
Because the Biden administration labored to counter China’s affect within the Indo-Pacific area — its high overseas coverage precedence — the White Home sought to deepen its ties with Australia.
President Biden had meant to go to Australia in Might, however was pressured to cancel his journey attributable to debt ceiling negotiations. Now, one other disaster is casting a shadow over the go to geared toward honoring Albanians.
John Kirby, spokesman for the Nationwide Safety Council, mentioned the leaders will focus on what is going on within the Center East. However additionally they plan to speak about cooperation in synthetic intelligence, a brand new settlement for US firms to launch area flights from Australia, and agreements between the 2 international locations on essential minerals.
“The present theme throughout this go to will truly be about innovation,” Kirby mentioned.

President Biden and First Girl Jill Biden present Jodie Haydon the place to pose for a photograph throughout a non-public go to the night time earlier than a state dinner honoring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Brendan Smielowski/AFP through Getty Pictures
Conceal caption
Toggle caption
Brendan Smielowski/AFP through Getty Pictures
President Biden and First Girl Jill Biden present Jodie Haydon the place to pose for a photograph throughout a non-public go to the night time earlier than a state dinner honoring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Brendan Smielowski/AFP through Getty Pictures