The President Meets The Queen

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/John Stillwell)

UPDATED President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama met today with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in London.

"It was a wonderful visit," Obama told reporters as he left the palace, according to the Associated Press. "Her majesty is delightful."

(AP Photo/John Stillwell)

Earlier in the day, the president praised the queen as a model of "decency and civility."

During the private meeting over tea, which lasted about 25 minutes, the president gave the queen an iPod as a gift; it contained footage of her visit to Washington and Virginia in 2007, According to Time. She was also presented with a songbook signed by composer Richard Rodgers.

The queen, meanwhile, gave the president "a silver framed photo of herself and her husband, as she does all visiting dignitaries."

Here's some (sound-free) video of the meeting:

The AP reports that the queen's handlers had to ask Mr. Obama's driver to move the president's bulletproof limousine, which was blocking an entrance to the palace. After it was moved, dignitaries including Prince Charles entered the grounds for the reception the 82-year-old queen hosted immediately after the meeting in honor of Mr. Obama and other leaders attending the G20 summit.

View Photos
Photo Essay: The president's first full day in London. (AP)

In attendance at the reception were French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others, who were served wine and hors d'oeuvres, including foie gras and smoked quail eggs.

Elizabeth II has now met with all 12 U.S. presidents that have served during her time as Queen with the exception of Lyndon Johnson. (Read more on the Queen's presidential meetings.)

As President Obama entered Buckingham Palace, hundreds of onlookers gathered outside cheered and waved at the presidential limousine.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by yorkshireguy April 2, 2009 6:43 PM EDT: The American people should be immensely proud of their President and the First Lady. Politics aside, their good manners, intelligent comment, articulate argument, style and charisma are an example to us all. It has been moving and inspirational in equal measure seeing The President and First Lady here in Britain and has once again made many of us remember what a great people the Americans are. You have many friends here in Britain - and Ipod or DVD's aside - we are proud to call you our "friends" and wish you and yours only health, happiness and prosperity.; Reply to this comment

by impeachbhb April 2, 2009 11:25 AM EDT

The queen has been graced by a visit from the Messiah.

Reply to this comment


by Cupcakecook February 11, 2010 8:18 AM EST: Did you really just compare Obama to Jesus Christ...really?


by briannorwood April 2, 2009 9:11 AM EDT: Barak and Michelle are like a breath of fresh air. Smart, classy and, in a way, hip.

Quite a contrast from the Bumbler and his Stepford Wife of the last eight years.; Reply to this comment


by nolies74621 April 2, 2009 3:21 AM EDT: Talk about lipstick on a pig.
Posted by _____One_American_____ at 1:16 PM : Apr 1, 2009

this is your brain,

this is your brain on CONSERVATISM!
Posted by mattcat25 at 2:18 PM : Apr 1, 2009

What does stating your opinion that someone is ugly have anything to do with conservative. I thought George HW Bushs wife looked like the picture of the guy on the Quaker Oats box and I think Michelle Obama has room for improvement in the looks department, Since I bagged on Bushs wife am I know considered a liberal? Will you take me into your liberal circle and annoint me with liberal wisdom?; Reply to this comment


by nolies74621 April 2, 2009 3:09 AM EDT: Wow a personalized IPOD. CLASSY!!!! He manages to insult our greatest allie again. Did it come with a fourty ounce and a pack of cigarettes? Where is my $1.01 tax on those cigs Queenie?; Reply to this comment


by budmag06 April 2, 2009 2:28 AM EDT: Obama doesn't consider Britain as our best ally. I believe the Queen needs another Ipod. Doesn't the Queen have enough money to buy one?; Reply to this comment


by _CBS_is_Pravda_ April 2, 2009 1:10 AM EDT: Obama is quite obviously severing ties with Great Britain.

His not-too-subtle insults, including returning the bust of Winston Churchil from the Oval Office, the Hollywood DVDs that don't play in European players that he gave to PM Gordon Brown, and now giving Queen Elizabeth an IPod.

Obama supporters like to play make-believe that Obama is "restoring" America in the eyes of the world - when in fact, he is destroying the relationships and rapidly making enemies of very long-time allies.

Just watch some of our allies vote against the U.S. in critical United Nations votes in the near future - then you'll know.; Reply to this comment


by JoeBoo2 April 2, 2009 1:08 AM EDT: President and Mrs. Bush have class. . . . .. The Obamas are black trash ~ ~ Posted by Jane1620

No, Jane, the Bush's are rich white trailer trash.
The Obamas are a sofisticated couple, and ARE OUR First family. Racism is ugly.
~ Posted by gravyboat63

~ To 'gravyboat':
YES, RACISM IS UGLY. AND IT IS EQUALLY UGLY FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS!!; Reply to this comment


by JoeBoo2 April 2, 2009 12:58 AM EDT: President and Mrs. Bush have class. . . . .. The Obamas are black trash ~ ~ Posted by Jane1620

No, Jane, the Bush's are rich white trailer trash.
The Obamas are a sofisticated couple, and ARE OUR First family. Racism is ugly.
Posted by gravyboat63 at 7:31 PM

~ To 'gravyboat':
Yes, racism is ugly. And it's ugly from both directions!!; Reply to this comment


by dsw214 April 2, 2009 12:45 AM EDT: Regardless of race, the Obamas have displayed a complete lack of class. As an American, I am embarassed.; Reply to this comment