Barack and Michelle Obama visit Downing Street
Barack and Michelle Obama have visited Downing Street after spending the morning at Buckingham Palace. The couple, who are on a three-day state visit, also laid a wreath at Westminster Abbey.
Barack Obama followed in the footsteps of Presidents Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and George W Bush who have also previously laid wreaths at the abbey.
The US President and his wife were welcomed by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.
Mr Obama solemnly placed a wreath of red and white carnations and blue hydrangeas on green foliage, helped by a US marine and a general from the US Air Force, the defence attache to the United Kingdom.
Read more: Michelle Obama: 'mom-in chief' wins over the UK
The US President and his wife Michelle spent the morning at Buckingham Palace where they were greeted by the Queen before spending around 20 minutes with newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
After visiting the Westminster Abbey the Obamas arrived at 10 Downing Street to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha.
The US President had driven past a small group of noisy protesters and were greeted by the Camerons near the red carpet especially put down at the entrance to the house.
Mr Cameron and Mr Obama then left Downing Street, without their wives, to travel to the Globe Academy school in Southwark, south London, to visit a science class and a gymnasium.
The couple are expected to return to Buckingham Palace this evening where President Obama will meet Labout leader Ed Miliband before dining with the Queen.
<!–
–>
Ping pong politics
David Cameron and Barack Obama took a moment during their visit of the Globe Academy to try their hand at Ping Pong.
Discarding their jackets on arrival in the sports hall, Mr Obama shouted “So who wants to take me on?”
As they failed to make an impression on their young rivals, he suggested maybe the politicians should swap sides.
“We can’t have the old guys against the young guys – we may have to switch it up.”
When Mr Cameron missed one shot, he mocked his performance, telling the pupils: “Tennis is his sport” and asking “can we have the medic here?” when one fierce smash hit the premier.
But he was soon high-fiving the Prime Minister after a particularly fine winner, telling him: “I like that … the old guys have got the hang of it.”
Asked what the score had been, the boys said they were convinced they won 11-0 but they may find that result disputed by their senior – and highly competitive – rivals.