The first couple received the royal treatment today when they popped in to Buckingham Palace, otherwise known as the home of Queen Elizabeth II. President Obama, who is in London for the G-20 summit, had more than a few nice words to say about her highness and all she represents.

"There’s one last thing that I should mention that I love about Great Britain, and that is the Queen. I’m very much looking forward to meeting her for the first time later this evening … I think in the imagination of people throughout America, I think what the Queen stands for and her decency and her civility, what she represents, that’s very important."

Mr. Obama’s certainly treading carefully with regard to the United Kingdom’s political and royal hierarchy. He was accused last month of snubbing Prime Minister Gordon Brown — even Michelle received flack for the short visit — and made sure today to praise England and the States’ relationship: "There is just an extraordinary affinity and kinship that we have. We owe so much to England, that when you come here there’s that sense of familiarity, as well as difference, that makes it just a special place." Indeed.