Stephen Colbert and Julia Louis-Dreyfus among distinguished guests gathered for Biden's first state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron

Erin SnodgrassDec 2, 2022, 08:55 IST

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 on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

President Biden hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for his first state dinner since being elected.
Scores of celebrities, politicians, and other guests arrived at the White House ahead of the affair.

The world leaders started the evening by posing for official photos on the North Portico of the White House.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for photos with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron as they arrive for a State Dinner on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to the White House on Thursday evening for the administration's first state dinner since his election.

The occasion marks a post-COVID return to Washington's political pomp and circumstance as the allied nations aim to present a united front following rocky relations between the two during the previous presidency.

The first lady took the lead in planning the black-tie affair, saying the dinner (including a menu with lobster) would reflect the US and France's shared values, as well as shared colors: red, white, and blue.

Several high-profile guests began to arrive ahead of the dinner's 8:50 p.m. ET start time, offering a glimpse into the A-list guest list and extravagant affair.

Several members of Biden's administration were in attendance, including White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and his wife had their photo taken as they arrived.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took note of the holiday decor on his way into the event.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his wife Charlene Austin arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and husband Chasten Buttigieg strolled in together.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten Buttigieg arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Several high-ranking Democratic leaders were there, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who brought his daughter Jessica as a guest.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., speaks to members of the media as he arrives with his daughter Jessica Schumer for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also brought her daughter.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Some key Republicans attended the affair, including Sen. Susan Collins.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Elizabeth McCandless arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy brought his mother Roberta as a guest.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., and his mother Roberta McCarthy arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Republican House Minority Whip Steve Scalise greeted reporters as he made his entrance.

House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks to members of the media as he arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was all smiles as he arrived.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

But it wasn't just politicians in attendance: Apple CEO Tim Cook made the trip.

Apple CEO Tim Cook arrives for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was accompanied by Australian film director Baz Luhrmann.

Baz Luhrmann and Anna Wintour arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

MSNBC television hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski smiled at their fellow media folk as they arrived.

MSNBC television hosts Joe Scarborough and his wife Mika Brzezinski arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

A pregnant Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were among the celebrity guests in attendance.

Chrissy Teigen, left, and John Legend arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Actress Jennifer Garner brought her 17-year-old daughter Violet as her guest.

Actress Jennifer Garner arrives with her daughter for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Musician Jon Batiste, who is set to perform, had several members of his family in tow as he arrived.

Musician Jon Batiste arrives with his wife Suleika Jaouad and family members for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert and his wife were among the distinguished guests.

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

And actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played a fictional US president on the television show "Veep," brought her son Charlie to the real thing.

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her son actor Charlie Hall arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.AP Photo/Susan Walsh

At the Bidens' first state dinner, they'll serve French President Emmanuel Macron lobster and US-made cheese as they rebuild relations

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