Boris Johnson gives Joe Biden gifts at G7 summit in Cornwall

Boris Johnson presented Joe Biden with a picture of a US anti-slavery campaigner to mark the pair’s first meeting today ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall. 

US and UK leaders traditionally exchange gifts when they meet in person and Mr Johnson gave Mr Biden a framed photograph of a mural of Frederick Douglass. 

Biden gave Johnson a new U.S.-made bicycle and a helmet to mark their first gathering. The Bidens gave Carrie Johnson a leather tote bag made by the wives of American troops, as well as a presidential silk scarf.  

Douglass was a former slave who became a leading figure in the 19th century abolitionist movement in the United States. 

Douglass travelled to Ireland and Great Britain in the 1840s on a speaking tour.

The image, painted by Ross Blair, is part of a mural trail around Edinburgh and the photograph was taken by Melissa Highton – a UK-US dual national.  

Boris Johnson presented Joe Biden with a picture of a US anti-slavery campaigner to mark the pair’s first meeting at the G7 summit in Cornwall today

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Frederick Douglass (pictured) was a former slave who became a leading figure in the 19th century abolitionist movement in the United States

The image, painted by Ross Blair, is part of a mural trail around Edinburgh and the photograph was taken by Melissa Highton – a UK-US dual national

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson gave Jill Biden, the First Lady, a first edition copy of Daphne du Maurier’s The Apple Tree.

Downing Street said the choice was to reflect Du Maurier’s Cornish links – the author lived in the county and drew inspiration for many of her works from the surroundings. 

The exchange of gifts usually takes place at the start of formal visits between US and UK leaders. 

The previous giving of gifts took place in June 2019 when Theresa May gave Donald Trump a framed typescript copy of a draft of the 1941 ‘Atlantic Charter’ during his visit to the UK.  

The charter was agreed by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill and it set out their joint vision for the post-war world.

The copy was Churchill’s personal draft of the statement, with his amendments made in red pencil.  

First Lady Melania Trump was given a bespoke tea set from the designer Emma Bridgewater. 

When Theresa May visited Washington in January 2017 she gave Mr Trump a quaich – a traditional Scottish cup of friendship

When Mrs May visited Washington in January 2017 she gave Mr Trump a quaich – a traditional Scottish cup of friendship – and Mrs Trump was given a hamper of produce from the PM’s Chequers country residence.

Mrs May received a framed picture of Abraham Lincoln while her husband, Philip, was given a pair of silver cufflinks by New York designer David Yurman.

David Cameron give Barack Obama a painting by the graffiti artist Ben Eine in 2010 during his first trip to Washington as PM.

Mr Obama gave his counterpart a signed lithograph by the pop artist Ed Ruscha.