Obamas join royalty, stars at Queen's state dinner

Queen Elizabeth II, left, poses with President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace ahead of a State Banquet on May 24, 2011, in London.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) LONDON - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wrapped up their first day in London with an elegant state banquet at Buckingham Palace, as guests of Queen Elizabeth II.

The first lady wore a white gown by American designer Tom Ford, which she paired with white gloves and long drop earrings. Mr. Obama donned a tuxedo with a white bow tie and an American flag pin on his lapel.

Pictures: Dinner at Buckingham Palace
Pictures: Obamas get royal welcome
A peek inside Buckingham Palace

The evening's 171-person guest list includes members of the royal family, celebrities and other dignitaries, including Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Labor Party leader Ed Miliband, Richard Branson, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, actors Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, director Tim Burton, actress Helena Bonham-Carter, and actor Kevin Spacey.

The china used at the gala reportedly dates as far back as 1787. Some were made for Queen Victoria, (sweet plates in 1876) while other pieces are a bit older (green sevre- soft paste porcelain made for Louis XVI in the 1790s).

Guests will dine on a menu that includes new season lamb, roasted potatoes and a vanilla charlotte, along with a variety of wines (scroll down for the full menu).

Seated at the president's table are Mrs. Obama, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, Clinton and Cameron, with the monarch and Mr. Obama at the head of the U-shaped table.

The queen opened the dinner by recalling fond memories of her earlier meetings with the Obamas.

She added that the U.S. and Britain in most cases see world problems in the same light, and that the U.S.-U.K relationship is - in her words - "tried, tested and, yes, special."

Mr. Obama is only the second U.S. president to be accorded a state visit in Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, according to Buckingham Palace. Although most previous presidents have visited England and met the queen, a number of features are required by British protocol in order for the trip to be considered a state visit. George W. Bush is the only previous U.S. president to be accorded a state visit, the palace said.

Here is the full banquet menu for the dinner:

Paupiette de Sole et Cresson
Sauce Nantua

Agneau de la Nouvelle Saison de Windsor au Basilic
Courgettes et Radis Sautees
Panache d'Haricots Verts
Pommes Boulangere
Salade

Charlotte ? la Vanille et Cerises Griottes
Fruits de Dessert

Les Vins
Ridgeview Cuv?e Merret Fitzrovia Rose 2004
Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2004 (Domaine William Fevre)
Echezeaux Grand Cru 1990 (Domaine de la Roman?e-Conti)
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Vintage Rich 2002
Royal Vintage Port 1963

12 Photos

Dinner at the Palace

[Ralphinphnix]

Argy bargy I am never happy!!!

[wfw3536]

How sad our extremely intelligent president doesn't have enough time to study up on proper protocol when he is at a dinner with the Queen. It just makes him look foolish, and doesn't represent our country.

[Ralphinphnx]

And so,the latest Obama distraction from yet another series of deadly painful natural diasters,like the deadly tornado outbreak and massive flooding is clearly working for that AWOL/MIA Where is Waldo Barack Obama
since too many of these fools are more concerned about the ugly looking
joke of a fat pitiful first lady Michelle Obama's evening gown and the
butler of Buckingham Palace wannabe Barack Hussein Obama fancy monkey suit then even care one dang bit about all the death and destruction from
those endless deadly tornados and floods. Wake Up America as we have a
lot more important problems right now then what the national embarassments awol Barack Hussein & Michelle Obama are wearing stupids!

[Ralphinphnx]

And I add shame on both Barack Hussein & Michelle Obama for their
failure to be right here in the USA leading the rescue and recovery
on going effortsm resulting from all the deadly tornado outbreaks
and massive flooding instead of living high off the hog in the UK!
Since after all we have our own American people dead or dying and
who lost everything while Party Boy Barack Obama Parties On!

[credibility2]

This president is a major embarrassment and very low-class. He's clueless about protocol, respect and tradition. He kept flapping his jaw while the anthem was played only because it's always about him and only him. He's a buffoon and a disgrace. He should have immediately shut his trap once the orchestra began playing. The only reason they started playing because he stopped yacking. Doesn't he have any handlers that teach him about these things?

[springgirl12]

WOW Mrs. O stunning beautiful. Our president looks so handsome and debonaire. They are both representing our nation beautifully.

[catmomtx]

Yes they are!

[Ralphinphnx]

Oh come on Barack Obama looked like he was trying to get a job as the
Butler at Buckinghame Palace and Michelle Obama looks like a cheap south
Chicago two bit hooker no matter what she wears here.