In Britain, Pomp for Obama but Serious Business Too

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Source: The New York Times

LONDON — President Obama was welcomed to Britain by Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday with full pomp and ceremony at Buckingham Palace, as the Scots Guards’ band played the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the 41 booms of a royal salute resounded across the palace gardens.

The ceremony inaugurated a two-day state visit by the American president, rich in pageantry but shadowed by concerns over the stalemate in Libya, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and deepening tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The queen and Mr. Obama emerged on to the west terrace of the palace just after 12:30, under a bright sky with a brisk wind that ruffled the bearskin hats on the heads of the honor guard. The first lady, Michelle Obama, walked with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

After the playing of the American national anthem, Mr. Obama and Prince Philip reviewed the Scots Guard, while the queen and Mrs. Obama watched from the terrace, putting their heads together to chat.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/world/europe/25prexy.html

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NYT caption: "The Obamas met Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday."