US president's state visit to UK hailed a success following dinner at ambassador's house held in honour of the Queen
Alexandra Topping
The US president bade farewell to the UK yesterday with a brief wave before stepping on to Air Force One.
Following what is being widely seen as a successful state visit, Barack Obama stood on the runway at a blustery Stansted airport and gave his wife a peck on the cheek before leaving for the G8 summit in Deauville, France. Michelle Obama is returning to the US.
Last night, the Obamas hosted a dinner in the Queen's honour as a thank-you for Tuesday's state banquet at Buckingham Palace. More than 50 guests were invited to the dinner at Winfield House in Regent's Park, the official residence of the US ambassador to Britain, Louis Susman – including the prime minister, David Cameron, and his wife, Samantha, footballer David Beckham, actors Colin Firth and Tom Hanks, and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
During his two-day visit to the UK, Obama recast the ties between Britain and America as not just special but "essential". Obama and Cameron held talks at Downing Street, where they also hosted a barbecue for military personnel and their families.
Michelle Obama visited Christ Church at Oxford University, where she met pupils from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school in north London. She first met the students in 2009 on a surprise visit to the school, where 54% of students receive free school meals, more than 90% are non-white and more than a fifth are from refugee families.
In a moving talk, she told the girls they could succeed. "We passionately believe that you have the talent, the drive, the experience to succeed here in Oxford and in universities just like it across the country and across the world," she said.