CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
The Biden Presidency
Facts First
2022 Midterms
More
The Biden Presidency Facts First 2022 Midterms
Audio Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
My Account
  • Settings
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Live TV Audio
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

The Biden Presidency
Facts First
2022 Midterms
Follow CNN Politics

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • The Biden Presidency
    • Facts First
    • US Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Success
    • Perspectives
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Market Movers
    • Fear & Greed
    • World Markets
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Before the Bell
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Gadget
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Upstarts
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • World Cup
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • Football
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Videos
    • Live TV
    • Digital Studios
    • CNN Films
    • HLN
    • TV Schedule
    • TV Shows A-Z
    • CNNVR
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • 2 Degrees
    • CNN Heroes
    • All Features
  • Weather
    • Climate
    • Storm Tracker
    • Wildfire Tracker
    • Video
  • More
    • Photos
    • Longform
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN
Politics

In pictures: Biden hosts Macron for state dinner

Updated 11:54 PM EST, Fri December 2, 2022
Link Copied!
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday, December 1.
In pictures: Biden hosts Macron for state dinner
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday, December 1.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 0454 GMT (1254 HKT) December 03, 2022

Produced by CNN Digital's Photo Team

President Joe Biden hosted his first state dinner at the White House on Thursday night, honoring French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

The dinner marked the return of a tradition that had not been seen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was held in a tent on the South Lawn, which could comfortably seat the more than 400 guests expected to attend. An indoor dinner in the State Dining Room is limited by space restrictions -- only about 120 guests can be accommodated.

The evening's entertainment was provided by singer Jon Batiste, a native of New Orleans, a city that first lady Jill Biden said Wednesday is "shaped by both French and American culture." The Macrons will visit New Orleans before returning to France.

A person with knowledge of Jill Biden's approach to the dinner said she was involved with all aspects of the planning, down to doing tastings of each dish and overseeing the seating chart -- much like her immediate predecessor, Melania Trump, whose first state dinner also happened to be for the Macrons. The Bidens served caviar and butter-poached lobster for a first-course, Calotte of beef and watercress and sunchoke salad for the main, and crème fraiche ice cream for dessert.

Macron and Biden share a toast during the dinner.
Macron and Biden share a toast during the dinner.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Musician Jon Batiste performs at the event.
Musician Jon Batiste performs at the event.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The dinner was held in a tent on the White House grounds.
The dinner was held in a tent on the White House grounds.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, arrives for the dinner.
Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, arrives for the dinner.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
The Bidens and Macrons pose for a picture at the Grand Staircase of the White House.
The Bidens and Macrons pose for a picture at the Grand Staircase of the White House.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives with her daughter Alexandra.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives with her daughter Alexandra.
Susan Walsh/AP
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is accompanied by film director Baz Luhrmann.
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is accompanied by film director Baz Luhrmann.
Susan Walsh/AP
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and his mother, Roberta, pause as they enter.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and his mother, Roberta, pause as they enter.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Model Chrissy Teigen and her husband, singer John Legend, attend the dinner.
Model Chrissy Teigen and her husband, singer John Legend, attend the dinner.
Susan Walsh/AP
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attends with his husband, Chasten.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attends with his husband, Chasten.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends with his daughter Jessica.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends with his daughter Jessica.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas arrives for the dinner with his wife, Tanya.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas arrives for the dinner with his wife, Tanya.
Susan Walsh/AP
Talk-show host Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn, arrive.
Talk-show host Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn, arrive.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Actress Jennifer Garner was with her daughter Violet.
Actress Jennifer Garner was with her daughter Violet.
Susan Walsh/AP
Batiste arrives with his wife, Suleika Jaouad, and their family.
Batiste arrives with his wife, Suleika Jaouad, and their family.
Susan Walsh/AP
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker arrives with his wife, Mary Kathryn.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker arrives with his wife, Mary Kathryn.
Susan Walsh/AP
Television hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski talk with the press as they arrive.
Television hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski talk with the press as they arrive.
Susan Walsh/AP
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a senior advisor to the president for public engagement, attends with her husband, Derek.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a senior advisor to the president for public engagement, attends with her husband, Derek.
Susan Walsh/AP
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is accompanied by her son Charlie.
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is accompanied by her son Charlie.
Nathan Howard/Getty Images
My Account
  • Settings
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Live TV Audio
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • The Biden Presidency
    • Facts First
    • US Elections
  • Business
    • Markets
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Success
    • Perspectives
    • Videos
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Gadget
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Upstarts
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • World Cup
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • Football
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Videos
    • Live TV
    • Digital Studios
    • CNN Films
    • HLN
    • TV Schedule
    • TV Shows A-Z
    • CNNVR
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • 2 Degrees
    • CNN Heroes
    • All Features
  • Weather
    • Climate
    • Storm Tracker
    • Wildfire Tracker
    • Video
  • More
    • Photos
    • Longform
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Audio Live TV
Follow CNN Politics
My Account
  • Settings
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2023 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.