The White House is preparing for President Biden’s state dinner with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but the planned celebrations have been scaled back due to the crisis in the Middle East. The first lady, Jill Biden, originally invited the B-52s to perform at the dinner, but changed her plans in light of the current situation. Instead, the Army and Air Force Strolling String bands and the U.S. Marine Band will provide the entertainment. While acknowledging the somber mood, Jill Biden emphasized the importance of nurturing partnerships and healing through the dinner’s menu, which features comforting dishes prepared by guest chef Katie Button.
The state dinner will take place in a pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House, adorned with colorful cloth reminiscent of a sunset. The tables will be decorated with pink roses, Australian eucalyptus, dahlias, and delphiniums. Jill Biden expressed the significance of strengthening alliances during tumultuous times and hoped that the dinner would provide comfort and reassurance. Guest chef Katie Button has created a menu that includes butternut squash soup, a roasted beet salad, and sarsaparilla-braised short ribs. The evening aims to promote healing and celebrate the partnership between the United States and Australia.
The state dinner comes as the Biden administration seeks to deepen its ties with Australia in an effort to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Originally, President Biden had planned to visit Australia in May but had to cancel due to debt ceiling negotiations. The visit aims to honor Prime Minister Albanese while addressing the situation in the Middle East. Discussions will also focus on cooperation in artificial intelligence, a new agreement for U.S. companies to launch from Australia into space, and agreements on critical minerals between the two nations. Innovation will be a key theme throughout the visit, according to John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council.