I'll be honest...I was a bit upset when I heard Barack and Michelle didn't have an invite, but the King of Bahrain did. But...this is actually protocol and should have been expected. While the wedding is clearly a royal occasion, because William is not the heir-to-the-throne it is not a state event. Thus members of royalty from around the world have been invited but not heads of state, so the Obamas have missed out, as have leaders of European countries such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The Obamas will have their FIRST state visit with the Queen on 24 May, for 3 days, ahead of the G8 summit in France.
The Obamas with the Queen at Buckingham Palace during a non-state visit in April 2009. Photograph: Pool/Reuters
Michelle & the Queen: unmannered, or sweet?
Downing Street said: "We are very pleased that this visit is taking place. It is a sign of the strong and enduring relationship between our two countries."
It will be the first state visit by a US leader since George Bush in November 2003. Bush was later a guest of the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2008, but it was not a full state occasion.
Obama was last in London for the G20 summit in 2009.
He and a delegation are expected to hold talks with the prime minister, David Cameron, on a range of issues.
The Obamas will stay at Buckingham Palace. A full ceremonial welcome and banquet will be held.
The visit comes too late for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on 29 April.
Since the Queen came to the throne in 1952 there have been 12 US presidents and she has met every one except Lyndon Johnson, who took over after the assassination of John Kennedy in 1963.
During Mr Obama's visit to London in April 2009 the Queen and the American first lady formed a friendship. They were seen putting their arms around each other after a photocall for G20 leaders at Buckingham Palace. It was a breach of protocol but the pair seemed at ease.
Mrs Obama returned to Britain later that year with her daughters, Sasha and Malia, for a short private visit to the capital. They were given a guided tour of Buckingham Palace and its gardens by palace staff and met the Queen.
At the time the two women, who share interests in the countryside, gardening and clothes, were said to have stayed in touch.
Thanks so much for this, I was very confused when I saw on Sky that they were having their first state visit as I knew they'd come before. Nice blog!
ReplyDelete