Her Majesty: "I hope that you will enjoy your time in the United Kingdom..."Ahead of the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Summer Olympics on Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama attended the Olympic Head of Government Reception. Hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, the reception was a glamorous Olympic affair for the high-profile guests attending the Summer Games. (Above: Mrs. Obama with The Queen, and US Ambassador Louis Susman)
"I hope that you will enjoy your time in the United Kingdom, and I am sure that you will find a warm reception awaiting you, your athletes and the visiting spectators," The Queen told her guests in welcoming remarks.
There were 190 guests, and the First Lady, escorted by US Ambassador Louis Susman, mingled with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Mrs. Samantha Cameron, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Heads of State, members of the International Olympic Committee, as well as leaders from Brazil, Fiji, Russia, New Zealand, France, Jamaica, Canada, Finland, and Germany. (Above: Mrs. Obama greets the Duchess with Ambassador Susman)Mrs. Obama wore an ivory-colored crepe jacket embroidered with silver and a silk chiffon skirt by US-based designer J. Mendel with silver heels, while Her Majesty and the Duchess both opted for icy blue. Guests sipped on champagne and enjoyed canapes. Updates on the First Lady's London events are being issued on the @LetsMove Twitter account. Click here for links to all Olympic posts.
"This will be the third London Olympiad: my great-grandfather opened the 1908 Games at White City; my father opened the 1948 Games at Wembley Stadium, and later this evening I will take pleasure in declaring open the 2012 London Olympic Games at Stratford, in the east of London," The Queen said.
"In all our national Olympics teams there is so much of which we can be proud: groups of young men and women dedicated to excellence and achievement across numerous sporting disciplines," The Queen said. (Above: Ambassador Susman escorts Mrs. Obama into the reception)Earlier on Friday, Mrs. Obama hosted a Let's Move! London event fore more than 1,000 British and American children at the Regent's Park residence ofUS Ambassador Louis Susman.
Read all about the First Lady's visit here. (Above: Mrs. Obama arriving at Buckingham Palace)
