After President Barack Obama nearly became the first victim of the ash cloud last night, The Queen and Prince Phillip welcomed the president and the First Lady on Tuesday as part of a U.K. state visit.
As President Obama made his way to Buckingham Palace to be welcomed by her majesty, crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, almost identical to a scene from last month’s historic royal nuptials. But instead of royal mad hatters, the dress and Pippa’s derriere, it was America’s First Lady Michele Obama who stole the spotlight along with the Queen in her power blue outfit. But this isn’t the first time the Queen and the first Lady spent time together. Just last summer Michele Obama was in the U.K. and we caught a glimpse of photographs of the pair hugging – a gesture, let’s face it, not many can pull off with the Queen. But with the two sharing common interests like gardening and clothes, the friendly smiles and chat weren’t surprising!
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After a tour of the palace, the two couples then witnessed a 41-gun salute followed by the Star-Spangled Banner played by the bear skinned hat soldiers. A longer 62-gun salute at the Tower of London could be heard throughout the city, marking the Obamas’ arrival. The Obamas then met with newly wed Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. Although no reporters or press were invited to witness the short 20 minute meeting, NewsFeed is pretty sure what didn’t come up in conversation was why the Obamas weren’t invited to the royal wedding. As for wardrobe choices, it’s hard to say who looked more chic – Kate, in a simple nude fitted dress, statement gold necklace and small black clutch, or the chic Michelle in her floral number and cropped cardigan. After lunch, the Obamas made their way to Westminster Abbey where the president laid a wreath.
So what’s on the agenda for the rest of Obama’s official first state visit? The usual things that American presidents do when they hop over the pond: Political talks, meetings with the Prime Minister and opposition leader, a lavish state banquet, an overnight stay at the palace, and of course fabulous dresses. Like a scene out of the film Love Actually, a news conference where he will give a speech about US foreign policy is also penciled in the president’s diary before he departs. The day will be rounded off with a return banquet at Winfield House, where the Queen will formally say farewell.
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And if you’re wondering whether the British-American special relationship still exists, please note that it doesn’t. It’s now “essential.” Or at least those were the chosen words printed in the Times of London, a jointly written article by both the president and Prime Minster David Cameron. With two conflicts and the Arab spring bringing America and U.K. together, there’s no better adjective than “essential.”