Biden and Britain's Prince William discuss the climate in Boston

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United States President Joe Biden met briefly with Britain's Prince William, heir to the former colonial power's throne, in Boston on Friday, where the Prince of Wales is due to chair a gala on climate change. 

The two men – the prince is 40 years old, the American president the double – shook hands and exchanged a few banalities and jokes about the polar cold which envelops the historic city of New England, during a meeting in front of the library and the John F. Kennedy Museum.

William and his wife Kate's three-day trip was to culminate Friday night with the second edition of the “Earthshot” prize created by the prince in 2020 to support innovative solutions aimed at regenerating the planet and fighting climate change. Five prizes of more than one million euros will be awarded in five categories.

A myriad of stars are expected at MGM Music Hall in Boston, including singer Billie Eilish and actor Rami Malek.

Joe Biden, who has just received a state visit from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron , was in Boston for a fundraiser for his Democratic party and for this meeting with William, which lasted less than an hour.

The two men were to discuss “ their common objectives on the climate” as well as questions of mental health and the fight against cancer, said the spokesperson for the American presidency, Karine Jean-Pierre.

The Prince and Princess of Wales is on a three-day visit to Boston, their first in the United States since 2014 and their first abroad since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.

Supposed to boost the image of the British Crown in the former American colony, the trip takes place in relative indifference in Boston and has been clouded by a controversy ue after racist remarks during a Tuesday evening at Buckingham Palace, London.