Dinner for 171! The Queen treats the Obamas to a state banquet... and invites a few of their Hollywood friends
By Jessica Satherley
Last updated at 2:00 AM on 25th May 2011
After a long day of public appearances, President Obama and US First Lady Michelle were treated to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Queen tonight.
The star-studded banquet saw 171 guests arrive, including Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey and Tim Burton, who dined on lamb, roast potatoes and vanilla Charlotte.
Also at Her Majesty’s banquet in honour of the Obamas were David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Boris Johnson.
Cheers! The Queen toasts the Obama's visit before they sit down to a dinner of lamb, roast potatoes and vanilla Charlotte
Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown also attended, as did Ed Miliband, Richard Branson and Helena Bonham Carter.
Hollywood actor Hanks sat next to Ffion Hague, the wife of the Foreign Secretary, while Kevin Spacey was beside Sophie, the Countess of Wessex – wife of Prince Edward.
Michelle Obama and the Queen both wore white gowns to the event, while President Obama opted for a traditional black suit that boasted a white bow tie and matching shirt.
The First Lady accessorised her gorgeous floor-length gown with long white gloves and dangling earrings, while her hair was tied neatly up into a bun.
Dinner for 171: The lavish banquet, hosted by the Queen, was to honour the Obama's state visit, and the President and First Lady posed here with the Royal couple before enjoying their meal
Ladies in white: Both Michelle Obama and the Queen opted for long white gowns on the special occassion, but luckily weren't wearing the same dress
As the Queen welcomed the Obamas, she said: ‘Today the US remains our most important ally. But our relationship goes far beyond our military ties.’
She celebrated the special relationship between the US and Great Britain and highlighted their ‘shared history, common language and strong intellectual and cultural links’, during her welcome speech.
Her Majesty said she had ‘fond memories’ of first meeting the Obamas in 2009 at the G20 conference in London.
The lavish dinner was hosted in the Palace’s ballroom, where the Prince of Wales hosted the private meal for 300 on the evening of the royal wedding.
Welcome speech: Her Majesty said she had 'fond memories' of first meeting the Obamas in 2009 at the G20 conference in London
Earlier in the day the Obamas had visited Number Ten after laying a wreath on the tomb of an unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey.
It is the couple’s first state visit to Britain and are staying at Buckingham Palace, instead of having to face an ordinary five star hotel.
They arrived last night after their visit to Ireland and will spend tonight and tomorrow night in the luxurious Belgian Suite of Palace, which is the same suite Prince William and Kate spent their first night as a married couple.
Despite not attending the Royal Wedding last month, the President and his wife met up with Prince William and his new bride today and talked for around 15 minutes with the newly-weds.
On the Obama’s arrival, they were greeted with a 41-gun salute alongside The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1390540/The-Queen-treats-Obamas-state-banquet-invites-Hollywood-friends.html#ixzz1NK1q4Y1g