Rishi’s very upmarket garden tea: From personalised Emma Bridgewater mugs to a £72 vase, the stylish items taking centre stage at Downing Street garden meeting with Joe Biden
- Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak shared a cup of tea in 10 Downing Street’s garden
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Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden enjoyed tea together at 10 Downing Street today, on the eve of a crunch NATO summit in Lithuania.
The American president was snapped drinking his hot beverage out of a personalised 10 Downing Street mug alongside the British prime minister in the latter’s garden.
Although the house may look small, the garden (which is shared with number 11 next door) boasts a respectable half acre of space.
And the L-shaped back yard provided a welcoming space for the two politicians, whose relationship was described by ‘rock solid’ by Biden, who joked about how much the two have seen each other recently, quipping: ‘It’s good to be back. We’ve only been meeting once a month.’
Alongside the quirky, decorative mugs, there were several other careful touches in the garden, including native wildflowers and a £72 calico jug used as a vase.
President Joe Biden enjoyed a mug of tea in the garden of 10 Downing Street today with British PM Rishi Sunak
The mugs used by the politicians (pictured) were created by Emma Bridgewater several years ago and are personalised designs
1. Personalised mugs from Emma Bridgewater
In classic British style, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak enjoyed a cuppa together as they held their garden meeting.
However, in place of dainty cups and saucers, the two men drank their hot beverages out of mugs.
And they weren’t just any old run-of-the-mill drinking vessels – these mugs were perfectly chosen for the occasion.
The black and white mugs are Emma Bridgewater personalised designs, the brand confirmed to FEMAIL.
The ½ pint drinking vessels were made by hand in the company’s factory in Stoke-On-Trent, as part of a special collection made for 10 Downing Street a number of years ago.
Boasting a black and white design, and the words ’10 Downing Street’, they were designed as gifts for visiting foreign dignitaries being hosted by the Prime Minister.
A spokesperson for the brand told FEMAIL they are ‘pleased they are still being used today’.
The brand’s designs are a favourite among politicians – in 2016, then PM Theresa May gifted mugs from Emma Bridgewater to members of the cabinet, and MPs including Rishi Sunak and Philip Hammond have previously been snapped drinking out of personalised cups.
2. £72 Blue Calico Large Tankard Jug from Burleigh
Another touch that can be seen in the snaps from today’s garden meeting is this blue calico jug, holding a small bunch of flowers
Another design touch seen in the Downing Street garden is a small blue vase holding flowers.
The item appears to be the Blue Calico Large Tankard Jug from Burleigh, which retails for £72.
In a quaint touch, the jug holds what appears to be a carefully crafted bunch of flowers.
The dainty, multi-coloured bouquet boasts roses, thistles, and peonies among other country garden flowers.
3. & 4. Rattan chair and table
During their meeting, Biden and Sunak both sat on matching rattan armchair-style seats.
Between the two men, is a matching rattan table, useful for their mugs as well as offering a chic design touch.
The classic garden furniture is beloved by many design enthusiasts, as rattan is not only flexible and lightweight, it is also durable and waterproof.
On top of that, the material is considered stylish and attractive, offering a classic and chic touch to the well kept garden.
5. Classic English native flowers
Another charming touch in the half-acre garden is what is presumably a carefully curated collection of flowers.
Directly behind the two men, there appear to be large foxglove plants, a native English flower.
The garden features a well-manicured lawn, with curved borders boasting a range of flowers.
Among the features reportedly in the garden are flowering cherry, a magnolia and an evergreen oak.
6. Heavy drinking glass with ER decal
A heavy crystal glass, boasting the cypher of the late Queen Elizabeth, was seen on the table next to Joe Biden’s mug of tea
One of the harder to spot details from the encounter between Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak is a heavy glass beaker on the rattan table.
The glass, which appears to hold water, is carefully placed on a black coaster on top of the garden furniture.
The beaker is decorated with the royal cypher of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
On the side of the glass, the cypher’s design can be seen, boasting the letter EIIR underneath a small crown.
As the glass placed on the table next to Biden, close to his mug, it would seem the president was enjoying the cool drink alongside his cup of tea.
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