Obama back in formal mode as state visit begins

AMERICAN President Barack Obama was back in more formal mode for yesterday’s pageantry-fuelled state visit to London, which began with a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.

Having begun the week with a whistlestop trip to Ireland, yesterday’s formalities were an appropriate build-up for the busy round of political talks and meetings which the US leader will attend during his three-day visit to Britain.

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

This strong partnership was reflected in a joint article written by Mr Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron for The Times newspaper, in which they declared: “Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship – for us and for the world.”

After his early arrival on Monday night due to the Icelandic ash cloud, Mr Obama spent the night in the US ambassador’s residence in Winfield House in Regent’s Park.

Despite the hasty change to their planned schedule the president and first lady were still given the formal welcome expected of a state visit when they touched down at Stansted Airport on Monday night.

They were greeted by the Lord-in-waiting Viscount Brookeborough, who met them on behalf of the Queen.

Instead of a traditional red carpet they left the plane on special red-carpeted stairs because of windy conditions at the airport.

Yesterday morning, they met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall before a 41-gun salute in the palace garden alongside the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

They then viewed the royal picture gallery before a wreath-laying visit to Westminster Abbey and a state banquet last night.

The couple are staying as guests of the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Following yesterday’s public displays, today will be devoted to politics, with talks between Mr Obama and Mr 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.

In their joint article, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron put the transatlantic partnership at the heart of the drive for global stability and prosperity.

“When the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous,” they wrote.

“And that is the key to our relationship. Yes, it is founded on a deep emotional connection, by sentiment and ties of people and culture. But the reason it thrives, the reason why this is such a natural partnership, 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. And the reason it remains strong is because it delivers time and again.”

They also promised not to abandon the protesters fighting for democracy in the Arab Spring.

“We will not stand by as their aspirations get crushed in a hail of bombs, bullets and mortar fire,” said the two leaders.

Prior to his arrival Mr Cameron also paid tribute to Mr Obama’s style, saying that as well as being “courageous” over issues such as Osama bin Laden, he was also “thoughtful, measured and serious”.

Mr Obama is due to travel on to France tomorrow morning for the G8 summit, also being attended by Mr Cameron.