By Julie Mason
Examiner White House Correspondent
The Obamas arrive — finally! — at Stansted Airport outside of London.
They are much anticipated in Europe, where Obama is popular and she is a source of intense fascination. Reginald Dale, a European studies scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said having Michelle along for the summit-heavy trip will help Obama politically.
“I think it will be because she is seen as glamorous in Europe,” Dale said. “Obviously, her agenda is totally different from the G-20 summit and the NATO meeting. In fact, she’s being – as you know, hitherto in the White House – being kept aside from policy and treated more as somebody representing glamour and motherhood and those non-policy related areas. But she’s definitely part of the image, yes, and a positive one.”
Prince Philip is reportedly among her local admirers.
While they’re in London, the Obamas will be staying at Winfield House, the US ambassador’s residence. The first lady is scheduled to accompany Obama to several events, but also plans to break out on her own, with visits to education and health care facilities. And that’s all very nice — but what she wears to meet Queen Elizabeth is a now matter of breathless, international anticipation.
Winfield House: It will have to do.
