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President and first lady Michelle Obama took time to honour Unknown Warrior buried at a tomb in Westminster Abbey
The confident, casual and infectiously amiable aura that captivated Ireland and much of London was deposited at the west door of Westminster Abbey at 3.07pm. As they waited at its threshold, Barack and Michelle Obama risked a final smile before stepping into the most solemn moment of their visit.
"It's a pleasure to be back again," said the first lady.
"She gets to come to all the fun places," joked the president.
The abbey's most famous – and most anonymous – resident lies beneath a blanket of black marble a few yards from the entrance, and it was him that the Obamas had come to see.
"We honour the Unknown Warrior," said the Very Rev Dr John Hall, dean of Westminster. "His presence recalls to mind the world wars and conflicts of the past century in which the forces of the crown have been engaged together with those of our nation's allies. Here we pray for all those who have give their lives in the cause of peace … for those who strive on our behalf for justice."
The couple stood, eyes closed and hands clasped, as a US marine and an air force general marched over to lay a red, white and blue wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Above a ribbon stamped with "The president of the United States of America", was pinned a handwritten note: "In remembrance."
The presidential visit to the tomb came a day after the Ministry of Defence announced the death of the 366th British service person in Afghanistan. It was a visit heavy with historical parallels.
Not far from where the Obamas stood as the abbey choir sang Justorum animae (The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God), a stone plaque commemorating another US president hangs. Beneath an eagle with outstretched wings is inscribed the message: "To the honoured memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1882-1945. A faithful friend of freedom and of Britain."
Even the sunlight that filtered into the abbey had to pass through stained glass windows paying tribute to the Army Medical Corps "of all ranks who gave their lives in the service of their country".
The president explained his presence in the abbey in the 13 words he stooped to write in the distinguished visitors' book: "It is a great privilege to commemorate our common heritages, and common sacrifices."
Duty done, the Obamas went back to doing what they do best: charming all those in their orbit. They made a point of meeting each member of the choir, and making jokes that sent laughter into the vaulted ceiling.
"He was just very, very nice with them," said Hall. "He insisted on speaking to each one of them."
The dean also revealed what had provoked the choristers' mirth.
"He told them he thought he could sing, but Michelle Obama told them he can dance but not sing."
As a parting gift, the president left the choristers with a promise – and a scoop. Given that the visit had been "just too short", he said, he was planning to return "in my second term".
And with that, the Obamas left the warrior to his eternal sleep and stepped out into the afternoon sunshine and the roaring of another crowd.