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Queen greets President Obama on first UK state visit Queen greets President Obama on first UK state visit
(40 minutes later)
The Queen has greeted US President Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, at the start of his first UK state visit.The Queen has greeted US President Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, at the start of his first UK state visit.
The Obamas, who are staying at Buckingham Palace, also spent 20 minutes with newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the 1844 room. The Obamas also met Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and spent 20 minutes with newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The visit began with Mr Obama being formally greeted by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House. They are due to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
It comes after he and David Cameron spoke of the "essential" US-UK ties. It comes after Mr Obama and David Cameron told of "essential" US-UK ties.
'Common interests'
In a joint article in the Times, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron said of their countries' relationship: "Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.In a joint article in the Times, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron said of their countries' relationship: "Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.
"When the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous."When the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous.
"The reason it thrives is because it advances our common interests and shared values. It is a perfect alignment of what we both need and what we both believe.""The reason it thrives is because it advances our common interests and shared values. It is a perfect alignment of what we both need and what we both believe."
On Wednesday Mr Obama will meet Prime Minister David Cameron for talks.On Wednesday Mr Obama will meet Prime Minister David Cameron for talks.
The leaders are likely to focus on the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Libya.
They also vowed not to abandon the protesters fighting for democracy in Arab countries, writing that they would "stand with those who want to bring light into dark, support those who seek freedom in place of repression, aid those laying the building blocks of democracy.
"We will not stand by as their aspirations get crushed in a hail of bombs, bullets and mortar fire," said the two leaders.
"We are reluctant to use force, but when our interests and values come together, we know we have a responsibility to act."
Mr Obama arrived in the UK a day ahead of schedule on Monday, to avoid any disruption from a volcanic ash cloud.
The president flew into Stansted, in Essex, with wife Michelle after leaving the Republic of Ireland, where his week-long tour of Europe began.
Whenever a US president comes here there is always a slightly tortuous debate on whether or not the relationship is still special or not.Whenever a US president comes here there is always a slightly tortuous debate on whether or not the relationship is still special or not.
Both sides have decided the best way of avoiding that debate is to come up with a new wording entirely. They have a new adjective. It is now an essential relationship.Both sides have decided the best way of avoiding that debate is to come up with a new wording entirely. They have a new adjective. It is now an essential relationship.
In a joint article for the Times newspaper, the prime minister and the president say the relationship between their countries was based originally on what they called emotional connections, sentiment and the ties of people and culture but now it thrives on common interests and shared values.In a joint article for the Times newspaper, the prime minister and the president say the relationship between their countries was based originally on what they called emotional connections, sentiment and the ties of people and culture but now it thrives on common interests and shared values.
So what they are trying to focus on here now is more business-like pragmatism rather than any idea of appealing to the mythology of past historic links.So what they are trying to focus on here now is more business-like pragmatism rather than any idea of appealing to the mythology of past historic links.
The leaders are likely to focus on the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Libya.
In their article, they also vowed not to abandon the protesters fighting for democracy in Arab countries, writing that they would "stand with those who want to bring light into dark, support those who seek freedom in place of repression, aid those laying the building blocks of democracy.
"We will not stand by as their aspirations get crushed in a hail of bombs, bullets and mortar fire," said the two leaders.
"We are reluctant to use force, but when our interests and values come together, we know we have a responsibility to act."
Mr Obama arrived in the UK a day ahead of schedule on Monday, to avoid any disruption from a volcanic ash cloud.
The president flew into Stansted, in Essex, with wife Michelle after leaving the Republic of Ireland, where his week-long tour of Europe began.
He and his wife, Michelle, spent the night at US ambassador's residence Winfield House, in London's Regent's Park.He and his wife, Michelle, spent the night at US ambassador's residence Winfield House, in London's Regent's Park.
The president joined the Duke of Edinburgh to inspect a Guard of Honour in the palace gardens, and is having a private lunch with the Queen. After he was welcomed there by Prince Charles and his wife, the president's cavalcade made its way to Buckingham Palace where he joined the Queen.
The Obamas were shown to the suite where they will be staying during the visit, and met Prince and Princess William before moving to the palace gardens.
There was a ceremonial welcome on the lawn of Buckingham Palace, where the president received a 41-gun salute and joined the Duke of Edinburgh to inspect a Guard of Honour.
He is now having a private lunch with the Queen.
State banquet
Security is tight during the three-day trip which comes ahead of the G8 summit of world leaders in France.Security is tight during the three-day trip which comes ahead of the G8 summit of world leaders in France.
The state visit to the UK is the 101st to be hosted by the Queen but only the third involving a US president in 100 years. The last US leader to come to the UK on one was George Bush in 2003.The state visit to the UK is the 101st to be hosted by the Queen but only the third involving a US president in 100 years. The last US leader to come to the UK on one was George Bush in 2003.
The public will get their first chance to see President Obama and the First Lady when they arrive at Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.The public will get their first chance to see President Obama and the First Lady when they arrive at Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The couple will then go to Downing Street to meet the prime minister and his wife, Samantha, before returning to Buckingham Palace to meet Labour leader Ed Miliband.The couple will then go to Downing Street to meet the prime minister and his wife, Samantha, before returning to Buckingham Palace to meet Labour leader Ed Miliband.
In the evening there will be a state banquet for the Obamas at Buckingham Palace, where they will stay overnight.In the evening there will be a state banquet for the Obamas at Buckingham Palace, where they will stay overnight.
On Wednesday, Mr Obama will hold talks with Mr Cameron at Downing Street. On Wednesday, Mr Obama will be joined after his talks with Mr Cameron at Downing Street by Michelle for a barbecue at Number 10 with British and American military veterans.
He will be joined later by Michelle for a barbecue at Number 10 with British and American military veterans.
There will be a news conference, before the president departs for the Houses of Parliament, where he will give a speech about US foreign policy to MPs in Westminster Hall.There will be a news conference, before the president departs for the Houses of Parliament, where he will give a speech about US foreign policy to MPs in Westminster Hall.
The day will be rounded off with a return banquet at Winfield House, where the Queen will formally say farewell.The day will be rounded off with a return banquet at Winfield House, where the Queen will formally say farewell.
What are your expectations of President Obama's visit to the UK? Are you planning to try to see him or his wife Michelle? Send us your comments using the form below.What are your expectations of President Obama's visit to the UK? Are you planning to try to see him or his wife Michelle? Send us your comments using the form below.
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