Friday, April 10, 2009

BRITAIN WELCOMES PRESIDENT OBAMA AND WIFE MICHELLE


It was a historic day as America's new President Obama and his wife Michelle made their first visit to the U.K. for the historic G20 summit. The couple were greeted warmly by Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, enjoying a special dinner cooked by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. The couple were also granted a private audience with Her Majesty the Queen as part of their visit. America has always enjoyed a special relationship with Britain, so it was no surprise that the President's wife Michelle dispensed with protocol and hugged the Queen. Her Majesty, who had earlier placed a white gloved hand around Michelle's waist, asked her to keep in touch. Michelle wowed everyone she met with her easygoing manner and dazzling outfits. I think she will make a wonderful First Lady. Michelle reminds me a lot of Princess Diana. She seems like a warm and compassionate woman, someone who is not afraid to show emotion and is able to communicate with people from all walks of life.

President Obama said that the Queen was one of the main reasons he loved the U.K. He also spoke of the "extraordinary affinity and kinship" between the British and American people.

As Gordon Brown's popularity sinks lower by the day, he was no doubt hoping that Barack Obama's visit would help to boost his profile. Certainly Gordon Brown's diplomatic skills came to the fore as he brought together the world's leaders at the G20 summit and thrashed out a $1trillion bailout deal from some of the world's richest countries to kickstart global economic growth. The deal will see some of the world's wealthiest nations injecting a huge amount of money into the International Monetary Fund. The Prime Minister described it as, "the day the world came together to fight back against the global recession - not with words, but with a plan for global recovery and reform". He received a standing ovation from world leaders after the deal was secured. Mr Brown has flown half way round the world in recent weeks, in a bid to persuade some of the world's most powerful leaders to support his plans at the G20 summit. However he still refused to take all the credit for the successful outcome, describing the bailout deal as a good example of the world working together. Economists predict that as a result of the deal, we should see a way out of this terrible global recession next year. Only time will tell if they are right. With so many people here losing their jobs and homes, we can only hope that things will get better and there is a brighter economic future ahead for all of us.

4 comments:

Marshamlow said...

Are the Gordon's quite tall or are the Obama's on a lower stair in this picture. The Obama's are so tall the usually tower over everyone else, in this shot everyone seems to be the same size. Probably not a pertinent question in contrast to money and jobs etc. Still it seems odd.

Fran Hill said...

Agree with you about Michelle Obama being like Diana - she's a natural. Those girls at the school she visited will never forget the experience, especially the one who 'high-fived' her!

Naomi said...

It's funny you should say that Marsha, as I noticed that the Obamas seemed like a very tall couple. Gordon and his wife Sarah are not that tall. I think they were stood on the Downing Street doorstep when this photo was taken!

Yes she is a natural Fran. Michelle seems like a really nice, down to earth lady. I'm sure the girl who high-fived her will remember that moment for some time to come!

Unknown said...

Guess I am strange but I find it very offensive that Michelle broke protocol. If a high figure of another country were to visit the Americas they would be expected to uphold our laws and respect our authority. Why is it our American figure heads are exempt from that?