LONDON — President Barack Obama plunged into a whirlwind of royal socializing Friday that began over a birthday lunch with Queen Elizabeth II and ended at a dinner hosted by the trio of young royals who represent the future of the British monarchy.
Obama, accompanied by his wife, Michelle, arrived by helicopter on the verdant grounds of Windsor Castle, the sprawling, centuries-old royal residence and tourist lure located just west of London where the queen celebrated her 90th birthday a day earlier.
With a patterned scarf tied around her head in a light drizzle, the queen climbed from the dark blue Range Rover that her husband, Prince Philip, drove to the landing area for Britain’s oldest and longest-serving monarch to welcome her third U.S. president to the castle.
The couples shook hands before climbing into the vehicle — ladies in the back seat — for the short ride to the castle. Inside, the queen led the group into a sitting room warmed by a fire and asked the president where he wanted to sit.
“The queen has been a source of inspiration for me,” Obama said later at a news conference alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron. “She is truly one of my favorite people … an astonishing person.”
Obama capped the day with a trip to Kensington Palace, where he and the first lady were invited for dinner with Prince William, his wife, Kate, and his brother, Prince Harry. William is second in line to ascend to the throne after his father, Prince Charles.
Obama, in an open-collar shirt with his suit, held an umbrella for his wife, dressed in a camel-colored ensemble. The royals greeted them and they all posed for photographs before entering the residence. William and Kate’s nearly 3-year-old son, Prince George, was spotted just inside the door.
Obama broke up the royal holiday by stopping at 10 Downing St. for talks with Cameron about the Islamic State group, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, the global economy, Russia’s stance toward Ukraine, politics and other issues.
They also discussed Britain’s possible exit from the European Union, or Brexit, which Obama publicly argued against.
Cameron is leading the campaign to keep Britain in the 28-nation EU.