Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have flown in to pay a special visit to the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. The US president and First Lady landed in the UK on Thursday (21 April) night in Air Force One and wanted to personally wish the monarch a happy 90th birthday.
They arrived in the presidential helicopter and landed on the castle's lawns before being driven by 94-year-old Prince Philip in a Range Rover. They will lunch with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh before Obama makes what is expected to be a thinly veiled warning against a Brexit at the EU referendum.
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh upon their arrival for lunch at Windsor CastleKevin Lamarque/ Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh upon their arrival for lunch at Windsor CastleKevin Lamarque/ ReutersPresident Barack Obama and his wife first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Britain\'s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip after landing by helicopter at Windsor Castle for a private lunchAlastair Grant/ ReutersPresident Barack Obama and Britain\'s Queen Elizabeth II get into a car after the President and first lady arrived at Windsor Castle for a private lunchAlastair Grant/ ReutersU.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh upon their arrival for lunch at Windsor CastleKevin Lamarque/ ReutersQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stand with US President Barack Obama and First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle ahead of a private lunch hosted by the QueenJohn Stillwell/ Getty ImagesThe President\'s convoy is seen at the Sovereign\'s Entrance in the Quadrangle of Windsor CastleGeoff Pugh/ Getty ImagesPrince Philip drives Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and the Queen into Windsor CastleGetty
Obama praised the "inspirational" Queen in a message broadcast on her birthday. "For nine decades Her Majesty has been a source of strength and inspiration, not only for the people of Britain, but for millions of people around the world," he said.
"And when The Queen hosted Michelle and me at Buckingham Palace we saw the same grace and good humour, that generous human touch, that the people of the United Kingdom have loved for generations. My girls were especially excited to receive a guided tour of the Palace when they visited on Sasha's own birthday."
