March 7, 2009

THE Queen is to give Barack Obama a private “getting-to-know-you” audience next month

Talks ... Queen yesterday

By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor

 

THE Queen is to give Barack Obama a private “getting-to-know-you” audience next month.

 

 

Her Majesty will meet the new US President in advance of an economic summit in London.

The private meeting is highly unusual because Mr Obama will not be on a State visit.

But advisers believe it is important the Queen — who opened an interchange in Hull yesterday — meets him before any official trip.

Visit ... Barack Obama

Visit ... Barack Obama

A source said: “There is a wish to do these things as discreetly as possible in the first instance.”

President Obama, famed for his Yes We Can slogan, will fly with wife Michelle on Air Force One to Stansted, Essex.

The private talks will be held the next day at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Obama will then join the G20 leaders for a Downing Street dinner on the eve of the summit on April 2.

Last night it emerged he gave Gordon Brown 25 top US movies as a gift after talks in the US.

Mr Brown’s wife Sarah gave Mr Obama’s two daughters Topshop outfits. And the First Lady gave Mr Brown’s two boys toy helicopters.

 

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