The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry hosted President Obama and the First Lady for dinner at Kensington Palace. The royals greeted the Obamas inside Clock Court. They chatted outside for a moment despite the dismal weather. Prince Harry greeted the First Lady with a kiss on each cheek. It's a significant night for the young royals - marking the first time they have hosted a head of state without other senior royals present. This type of role will form an important part of their duties in the years ahead. It's also the first official function held at William and Kate's recently renovated Apartment 1A. Ahead of the dinner, Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses are very much looking forward to welcoming President and Mrs Obama." William, Kate and Harry have forged a warm relationship with the Obamas in recent years. The Duke and Duchess met the couple at Buckingham Palace shortly after their wedding in 2011. Kate met Michelle again at the Olympic Opening Ceremony reception in 2012. William met the President in the Oval Office in 2014 when the pair discussed children, with William revealing he was so excited when George was born he forgot to ask the gender. Harry has worked with Michelle in particular, through support of military personnel and work with the Invictus Games. They posed for a photo outside the front door of William and Kate's Apartment 1A. Omid Mio Scobie shared a photo of the entrance to 1A. As Mr Obama approaches the end of his second term in office, it seems rather fitting for the royals to host them during what is expected to be his final official trip to the UK as president. A White House spokesman said: "The visit will allow the president to offer his gratitude to the British government and people for their stalwart partnership with his administration and the American people throughout his presidency." William, Kate and Harry led the the President and the First Lady to the Drawing Room before dinner. Prince George was eager to meet the guests and was seen standing in the hallway waiting for the Obamas. The Prince was allowed to stay up late to meet the couple who were absolutely thrilled to spend time with him. Princess Charlotte was sleeping soundly. Indeed, President Obama is the first of many presidents George will shake hands with throughout his life. This photo is unbelievably adorable - it's a real treat to see the William and Kate with George in their own home - and how cute is he in those pyjamas? A closer look at the mother-son moment. Prince George thanked the President for his rocking horse, given to him when he was born. It very much shows the level of consideration given to the visit, placing out the rocking horse and toy dog the Obamas gave George when Charlotte was born, and it was a lovely gesture to introduce George and have him say thank you in person. :) .The Duchess and The First Lady chatting. It is incredibly interesting to see William and Kate's home. The interior decor is very tasteful and elegant. There's a wonderful selection of family photographs and flowers. Earlier today, the Obama's had luncheon with the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor. During a press conference afterwards he described the monarch as "a real jewel to the world" and "one of my favourite people". Much to the surprise of secret service agents Prince Philip decided to drive the couple to the entrance. Mr Obama said: "I have to say I have never been driven by a Duke of Edinburgh before, and I can report it was very smooth riding." What does one give the Queen for her 90th birthday? The Obamas gave Her Majesty a photo album of her visits with US presidents and First Ladies. Her Majesty has met twelve presidents during her lifetime; it's a topic we covered in-depth over at The Royal Digest a couple of years ago. The Queen wore a pale blue skirt skirt, while Mrs Obama chose a dress by one her favourite designers, Oscar de la Renta. For those following the visit, the Telegraph has an excellent article on key points and the history of the relationship between the UK and US: 'In 1939, President Franklin D Roosevelt offered a toast to King George VI in the White House. “I am persuaded that the greatest single contribution our two countries have been enabled to make to civilisation, and to the welfare of peoples throughout the world,” he said, “is the example we have jointly set by our manner of conducting relations between our two nations.” Nearly 80 years later, the United Kingdom remains a friend and ally to the United States like no other. Our special relationship was forged as we spilt blood together on the battlefield. It was fortified as we built and sustained the architecture for advancing stability and prosperity in Europe, and our democratic values around the globe.' Back to tonight, the Duchess chose the L.K. Bennett 'Addison' dress for the dinner. The £325 dress features a jewel-toned print, transparent sleeves and ankle-grazing length. It's described as: "Ideal for events both formal and casual, timeless in its style and fashion forward in its execution." It's available in very limited sizing on the UK and US websites. L.K. Bennett The print. L.K. Bennett Upon seeing the first image from this evening, I thought the dress had a very familiar feel to it; the Addison bears similarities to the L.K. Bennett 'Madison' dress Kate wore for a private dinner at Berry Bros & Rudd last August. L.K. Bennett Coincidentally L.K. Bennett just released the Madison dress in a feminine pink print. It's a beautiful, flowing dress. L.K. Bennett Kate added her own navy belt. Several eagle-eyed readers noted it appears to be the same belt she wore with her Glamorous Maxi Dress in India. A side by side comparison. The Duchess teamed the dress with her navy suede Rupert Sanderson Malory Pumps. Rupert Sanderson The amazing Anna instantly recognised Kate's jewellery as the G. Collins & Sons tanzanite and diamond earrings and pendant. Kate wore the earrings and pendant for for a service of commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral, London in March last year. Below we see the Tanzanite and Diamond Pendant at G. Collins & Sons. The pear shaped pendant retailed for £8,400. Moving on to George's adorable personalised bathrobe. Trisha and Anna identified it as the Personalised Cotton Robe by My 1st Years. The robe comes in an array of colours and is available to pre-order for £27 here. George also wore the Little Boston Plane Slippers from Trotters. There's an arrival video available on YouTube. ************ Also today, Prince William carried out investitures at Buckingham Palace. He gave an MBE to Julia Samuel, a dear friend of the late Princess Diana's and Prince George's godmother. Mrs Samuel - a psychotherapist and counsellor who founded Child Bereavement UK of which William is patron - said: "It felt very different because it was recognition for the whole organisation. So I felt a bit shaky. Being in the palace, it's the whole system and tradition and pageantry. It's very moving." Below we see Julia Samuel with her family outside the Palace. I couldn't help but notice she was wearing her chic red lace dress from George's christening. William also presented a CBE to actress Imelda Staunton. Afterwards she said: "We did have a nice chat about what I do and that their children listen to me because I've done all of the Julia Donaldson books, The Gruffalo and ten or twelve others, and they listen to them in the car so they know my voice." You can read the full story at the Express. Richard Palmer Twitter Feed We'll be back with our remaining tour polls next. Hope you all have a great weekend!
