First Lady brings Obama family for Abbey visit

The family flew to London for a week-long stay while President Obama returned to Washington after the visit to Normandy for celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

Mrs Obama with 10-year-old daughter Malia and eight-year-old Sasha were accompanied by other family members, including their grandmother Marian Robinson.

They were welcomed by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall who, with the Canon Steward, the Reverend Jane Hedges, escorted them on a private tour of the Abbey, which remained open to the general public.

The Dean of Westminster said

It was a great pleasure meeting Mrs Obama and the children, who showed a lively interest in the Abbey and enjoyed their visit. I was most grateful to all colleagues who helped arrange the event at short notice and co-operated very well with the US officials and security staff. The First Lady particularly appreciated the special question and answer guide the children were given and thought it an excellent idea for future family visits.

The party had visited the Palace of Westminster and 10 Downing Street the day before.