Thaindian News

London, May 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were Tuesday welcomed to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II on his first state visit to Britain, a media report said.

Obama has a busy round of political talks and meetings during his high profile three-day stay, as well as a lavish state banquet and a meeting with the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Independent reported.

The state visit is only the third by a US president to the UK in 100 years and comes at a time of close cooperation between the two countries on issues ranging from Libya to Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the Middle East peace process, according to the newspaper.

At the red carpeted Grand Entrance of the palace, President Obama and the first lady were greeted by the monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Obama flew into Stansted airport ahead of schedule Monday night to avoid the possibility of disruption to air travel from the ash cloud from an erupting Icelandic volcano.

His motorcade swept into the queen’s London home from the US ambassador’s residence in London, Winfield House in Regent’s Park, joined by the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Before he left for the palace, President Obama spoke to reporters, expressing his sorrow about the tornado devastation back home in Missouri, Minnesota and around the Midwest, the newspaper said.

“We have been heartbroken by the images we have seen.”

“The devastation is incomparable … So far we know over 100 people lost their lives …”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are suffering at this moment,” the daily quoted Obama as saying.

The Obamas are staying as guests of the queen and will occupy the palace’s opulent Belgian suite, as is customary for visiting foreign heads of state.

It was there that William and Kate spent their first night as a married couple after partying into the early hours following their wedding.

Wednesday will be devoted to politics, with talks between Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, followed by an address to both houses of parliament, in which the president is expected to say that the US has no closer ally in the world than Britain.

The two leaders are also expected to drop in on a barbecue being hosted by their wives, Michelle and Samantha, for families of military personnel involved in joint UK-US missions overseas.

Their meeting with the Obamas was completely private and media were given just a glimpse of the two couples as they left Winfield House to bright sunshine.

All four left in “The Beast” - the president’s armoured limousine - to be taken to Buckingham Palace for their meeting with the queen.

The US leader gave the queen a warm double handshake, clasping her hand with his for a few moments as they exchanged words.

He also greeted Philip, telling him “Nice to see you, sir”, while his wife shook hands with the queen and the Duke.

The Obamas were given around 10 minutes to settle themselves into their palace suite after arriving.

They were then taken to the 1844 room to meet newlyweds William and Kate, where discussions were likely to have covered their recent wedding and honeymoon.

Before heading outside into the palace’s picturesque garden for the ceremonial welcome, senior members of the queen’s household were presented to the Obamas in the Bow Room.