Prince William and Kate welcome the Obamas at Buckingham

Recently returned from their honeymoon in the Seychelles, Prince William and his wife Kate recently welcomed Michelle and Barack Obama at Buckingham Palace. This is the first time that Kate performs her duties as a princess.

Absent from the “wedding of the century” on 29 April, the American presidential couple wished to congratulate the newlyweds on the occasion of their formal welcome to UK.

The U.S. president and his wife made a stop in London after spending 24 hours in Ireland. They had to stay two nights at the palace but their flight had to be advanced because of the ash coming from the volcano in Iceland.

The palace issued an official photo showing Barack Obama, smiling, engaging in discussion with William, who was wearing a dark suit, while Michelle, in a pale green dress and pink jacket, talks to Kate, dressed in a $340 beige dress by Reiss. The two couples spent almost twenty minutes together, talking freely, with no sight of reporters.

This is the first official event for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge since their marriage last month.

William and Kate didn’t stay for the luncheon and won’t participate in the formal banquet in the evening.

In royal etiquette, William, being the second in the order of succession to the throne, has little formal commitments. It is also the reason why Obama didn’t attend the wedding, although the American head of state has said, during a meeting with Prince Charles a few weeks ago at the White House, that his country was “fascinated” by the royal wedding.