Queen Elizabeth II Hosts President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama for Lunch After Her 90th Birthday

The visit took place a day after the monarch turned 90

By Corinne Heller Apr 22, 2016 2:54 PMTags
Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Queen Elizabeth, Prince PhilipAlastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Now this is quite the double date!

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama enjoyed a royal lunch with none other than Queen Elizabeth II in England Friday.

The group was joined by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the meal took place at a private dining room in Windsor Castle one day after the queen, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated her 90th birthday. The lunch lasted about an hour.

Later, at the U.K. Foreign Office, the president called the queen "an astonishing person and a real jewel to the world, not just to the United Kingdom."

"Earlier today Michelle and I had the honor to join her Majesty and his Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, as their guests at Windsor Castle, where we conveyed the good wishes of the American people," the president said. "The Queen has been a source of inspiration like so many people around the world...She is truly one of my favorite people, and should we be as fortunate to reach 90, may we be as vibrant as she is." 

read
Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates 90th Birthday: 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Her, Answered

The Obamas arrived at London's Stansted airport Thursday evening. They flew on the Marine One helicopter and landed on a golf course outside the castle, where the queen and the prince greeted the couple outside. The four then took a Range Rover to the royal residence. Philip, 94, drove and the president, 54, rode shotgun. The group was followed by the U.S. leader's 11-vehicle motorcade.

The president joked he had "never been driven by a Duke of Edinburgh before and that it was "very smooth riding."

Michelle, 52, known for her chic designer looks, wore a pink and black floral Oscar de la Renta dress, black Narciso Rodriguez coat and matching pumps. The queen sported a powder blue suit and black pumps, as well as a colorful floral head scarf to protect her from the rain.

After they arrived at the entrance to the castle, the president and the queen walked in first, followed by Michelle and Philip. The four posed for a photo in the Oak Room, in the Queen's private apartment. 

Press Association via AP Images

During their visit to Windsor Castle, the Obamas gave the queen a belated birthday present—a photo album filled with pictures from her past visits with U.S. leaders and their wives.

The president is on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom. During his trip, he is set to also speak about the June 23 EU referendum, in which voters will decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union. The president supports the latter. He will also talk with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Obamas have met the queen before. In 2009, during their first meeting, Michelle made headlines when the monarch displayed a rare show of affection and strayed from protocol by briefly wrapping her arm around her. She reciprocated.

"This was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation between The Queen and Michelle Obama," a palace spokeswoman said at the time.

The president and the queen also met during the D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy in 2014. Elizabeth has not visited the White House since he was first elected president in 2008. 

Later Thursday, the Obamas traveled to Kensington Palace to have dinner with Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton, aka Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry

The president and First Lady have also met Will and Kate in the past. In 2011, they saw them at Buckingham Palace, just after the two had wed. Harry had met Michelle during a royal visit to the U.S. last October.

photos
Stars Playing Queen Elizabeth II