London - The dress code was casual and informal – and William and Harry, in creased chinos and open-neck shirts, clearly took the message to heart.
Fortunately hostess Kate managed to up the ante in a floaty LK Bennett dress, cinched around her tiny waist, with a matching belt and a tanzanite necklace.
Michelle Obama was also elegant in a camel coloured dress and brown coat although husband Barack, fresh from his meeting with David Cameron, had taken off his tie.
The US President and his wife were all smiles as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry, welcomed them to a “laidback” dinner at their Kensington Palace home on Friday night. Hands were shaken all round – except that Harry, in typical style, couldn’t resist moving in to plant a kiss on Mrs Obama.
They have been working closely on the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style event for service personnel which will be held in Orlando next month. But Mr Obama still looked somewhat wary as they shared their friendly kiss.
William and Kate opened the doors of their 22-room private apartment – number 1A – to the couple just hours after the Obamas had lunched with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
It is the first time that any of the young royals have entertained a head of state privately and was the most significant event they have hosted at Kensington Palace.
Even little Prince George was on his best behaviour and was waiting patiently in the hallway to greet his parents’ VIP guests, according to an aide.
After posing for pictures in the courtyard, the royal trio and their guests retired to William and Kate’s apartment, which used to belong to Princess Margaret and has since been refurbished for the couple.
Drinks were served in its drawing room, which has cream sofas littered with floral cushions, and a grand piano covered with family photographs. There are signs, however, that a young family live there: by the window is a rocking horse and a stuffed toy lay on a hexagonal seat by Mr Obama’s feet.
The apartment has two kitchens – and as Kensington Palace doesn’t have its own catering staff, chefs and waiting staff were borrowed from Buckingham Palace.
A Kensington Palace spokesman refused to reveal what the group would be eating as it was classed as a private dinner – even though an official press release was released about the engagement and the media invited to cover it. The dinner is also likely to be included in the Court Circular and will be paid for out of official funds.
An aide said they would have a lot to talk about. Mrs Obama has recently worked with Kate, 34, on a mental health project. Mr Obama has also held discussions with William, 33, about anti-poaching and conservation issues.
“On a working level they thought this would be a nice way to meet with the President as a group of three, which they haven’t done previously,” said one official.
“And when the First Lady decided to come to London they were very pleased that she could join them as well.”
Earlier the Queen, 90 and a day, and Prince Philip welcomed the Obamas to Windsor where they arrived by helicopter.
And it was Philip, 94, who drove them the short hop back to Windsor Castle for lunch which was by all accounts a warm and friendly affair.
Inexplicably, Buckingham Palace refused to reveal what the two couples ate, or even who the Queen”s outfit was by, claiming it, too, was a private event.
But it was very much a public arrival as Marine One landed on the golf course of the 6 400 hectare estate next to the castle walls, while the royal hosts waited in their navy Range Rover.
As the blades of the helicopter – a Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King – stopped, Philip pulled the car forward before he and the Queen got out to welcome their guests.
Mr Obama walked down the steps and shook hands with the monarch, followed quickly by his wife – the President didn’t bow and Michelle didn’t curtsey – as Philip waited his turn to welcome them both.
The two couples appeared very relaxed, however, and instantly started chatting away animatedly before getting into the vehicle.
There seemed to be some awkward confusion about who was going to sit where, with Philip appearing to gesture to Mrs Obama to go round to the other side, when in fact she eventually got in at the back on the same side as him. Mr Obama started to move towards the Queen, then changed direction, and finally got into the front seat next to Philip.
US travelling media, who had landed minutes before the President in another US helicopter, Marine Three, were heard saying in disbelief: “Is Obama driving?”, clearly forgetting that in the UK drivers sit on the right.
Despite his advancing years, Philip nimbly negotiated the 400 yards back to the castle with the leader of the free world. The Queen has met 11 out of 12 serving US Presidents during her reign, the only exception being President Johnson.
In a public address last night President Obama paid a heartfelt tribute to the Queen, calling her a “real jewel to the world” and “one of my favourite people”.
He also made light of his ride with her husband, joking: “I have to say I have never been driven by a Duke of Edinburgh before, and I can report that it was very smooth riding.”
After walking through the Sovereign’s Entrance they were guided to the Oak Room, in which a log fire was crackling merrily, for an official photograph, Mrs Obama resplendent in a magenta and black Oscar de la Renta dress.
Lunch in the private dining room lasted just 45 minutes, but the Queen was presented with a gift to mark her 90th birthday on Thursday, a custom photo album chronicling all her meetings with US Presidents and First Ladies.
Daily Mail