Michelle Obama In London With Daughters For Surprise Visit (PHOTOS)

First lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia and mom Marian Robinson continued their girls' tour of Europe with a surprise stop in London on Monday. They had spent the weekend in Paris (see photos). Photos of the London visit below.

According to the BBC, the first family visited the Houses of Parliament and is believed to have visited Big Ben.

They were later photographed leaving 10 Downing Street, the residence of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and wife Sarah.

The Daily Mail reports that the visit will last a day.

From the AP:

LONDON - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama made an unannounced visit to London on Monday after attending D-Day commemorations in Europe.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office said Obama had a private meeting with Sarah Brown, the prime minister's wife, at 10 Downing Street.

She did not meet with the prime minister, a spokesman for Brown's office said.

Obama was accompanied by her two daughters, Sasha and Malia, on her whirlwind visit to London, but her husband, President Barack Obama, was already back in the United States after a trip to the Middle East and Europe.

Story continues below

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The spokesman declined to say whether Brown's office helped arrange a reported visit by Obama and her children to see the British Parliament's famous clock tower -- the iconic home of the Big Ben bell.

He spoke anonymously Monday in line with official policy.

The first lady's trip to Europe also included a chance to have dinner with her husband at a popular Paris bistro and some sightseeing in Paris.

The White House has released no information.

Photos from Getty.

• • • • •

Michelle Obama leaves the Houses of Commons in a motorcade during an unofficial visit on Monday, June 8th.

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Comments

[january202013]

And as far as I am concerned, our relations with foreign countries don't need to be managed by a naive back-benching state senator with 3 weeks of experience in the US Senate who managed to hoodwink more than 50% of the voters into believing that he was the Second Coming. (Sorry, they don't believe in a Second Coming in the Muslim religion. Oh wait, he did say he's a Christian). We are now kowtowing to anti-American dictators in Venezuela, and Iran, and Russia along with Islamic terrorists, so this guy should just stay home. He's either naive or deliberately wants the US to die as we know it if he thinks he can negotiate with these tyrants. (Does the name Neville Chamberlain ring a bell?) Just look at this man's background, his writings, his associations, and his actions. He and Michelle are part of a left-wing cabal that is trying to undermine our economic and military power as well as our individual freedoms with more and more government control over every aspect of our lives so hat we will turn into a de-industrialized and economic wasteland. That way we won't be able to consume more than our "fair share" of natural resources. So we'll end up like a third world country, but hey - who cares since everything will be equitable.

[january202013]

I guess she's proud to be (for the first time) to be an American tourist. Every one of the weasels that complains about Bush rarely traveling out of the country would have lined up and criticized him and/or his family if they ever did anything as decadent as this. But it's ok because he's Obama and he's our first black president so it's ok for for him and his family to waste taxpayer money while our economy goes further and further down the toilet. You know, I might consider excusing Michelle if she loved America, but she HATES it!!!! And if you've read her so-called PhD thesis, you'd have to agree (unless, of course, you hate America as well).

[jdl51]

Every time the president goes overseas, yes, including your hero GWB, the Air Force takes both presidential 747s. Every time. No exceptions. Even if the first lady is not with him. Standard procedure. So what she did was take the second plane back a couple of days later. There wasn't any "extra" expense involved other than the 40 minute flight from Paris to London. Go bark up another tree.

[bfniii]

"There wasn't any "extra" expense involved "
wrong. it was a completely unnecessary and frivolous trip. the cost of the entourage is outrageous.

[letscutthebs]

But of course the only problem is that the Strategy described below is not quite as seamless as the parties involved presumably want it to be. On the other hand what counts is that for the moment it seems to be working.

[letscutthebs]

Not a squeak from the Press as the First Lady tiptoed quietly back into The White House. The calibrated marketing of the Obama brand is as precise as a Swiss watch. The unified strategy being carried out in perfect harmony by the White House and the Press has a common purpose. It is a symbiotic relationship not unlike that of a shark and its remora. In this case, both parties are selling something. The difference is that the Press ( the remora) and its shrinking demand, is far more dependent on The White House than the other way around.

[battlinbob]

Michell Obama in London for a Surprise Visit..... to the wax museum! Yea!

[letscutthebs]

One has to question President Obama's sincerity when speaking of sacrifice, hard times, and other people's excesses. And How CAN the First Lady sit comfortably throughout her extensive million tax dollar vacation while Americans are without jobs and homes? They should not underestimate the American people's capacity to see through their accomplished political stage craft.

[bakersdozen]

Were you also this concerned about the over $17 MILLION dollars that was spent by Bush during the 490 total days during his two terms that he spent in either Crawford or Camp David?

[letscutthebs]

I thought Obama was CHANGE.

[bfniii]

you might not be aware of this but, bush WORKED while he was there. he wasn't out on the town oversees, clogging up streets, inconveniencing people just so he could have some fun.

[Bafun]

million dollar vacation for 2 days in Paris and London? are you serious?

[MsAttitude]

People in the United States are losing jobs. Our unemployment is the highest it's ever been in 20 years, in the last few months our country has accumulated more debt than it did in 200 years and the Obama's are vacationing with our money! None of us have any change left!!

[NCYvonne]

The president is in the WH . . . working! Something GWB never did.

The First Lady can do whatever she wants. We don't pay her a dime and she's paying for the "vacation" part of the trip. We're paying for her travel and security, like we have for every other first lady. OK, sparky?

[ily2009]

dangg can you say ownedd!

[bfniii]

"The First Lady can do whatever she wants. We're paying for her travel and security"
it's unethical of her to take an expensive vacation that most americans will never get to take when it's on the tax payer's dime. there is no justification for it.

[Epiphany2b]

Well, I guess she'd best just stay home then! Does this same screed apply to Sarah Palin traveling all the was from Alaska and congressmen traveling to Europe, or is it just the first lady that can't take her children on an educational trip? Unless you are extremely well heeled I doubt that your tax money even got her to the airport. For me, she can travel on my tax money all she wants. I'd rather she do that then have it go pay for some American contract employee to beat up Iraqi civilians.

[bfniii]

"or is it just the first lady that can't take her children on an educational trip?"
HA! educational. funny.

"For me, she can travel on my tax money all she wants."
you don't speak for all americans and it's presumptuous of you to not consider that others are unhappy about the waste

"I'd rather she do that then have it go pay for some American contract employee to beat up Iraqi civilians."
that's called an excluded middle. there are plenty of worthwhile endeavors that wasted money could have gone to.

[Eclectic Lily]

Oh yes, those are the choices. Let Michele and the girls and grandma go on a dream vacation or beat up Iraqi civilians.

[letscutthebs]

Clearly, The First Lady's true heart is not with the millions of Americans without jobs or homes. or with those Americans who are scraping by and paying taxes that are being so cheerfully spent. When the First Family is done reimbursing the state for their personal expenses (food, shopping, tickets) the cost to US tax payers for for flying around in an Air Force 757 on this private vacation will still be in the millions. If it were otherwise, The White House would not refuse to disclose the numbers when asked.

[NCYvonne]

Wow. Republicans caring about the poor and struggling. Now THAT'S change!

[cdiasmd]

I heard that the White House needed another picture of an Andrews AFB C-32 (Boeing 757) flying over Big Ben... so that's how BO justified taking separate planes. :)

[NCYvonne]

What was Laura's excuse for taking a separate plane to Paris in August, 2008?

[letscutthebs]

I thought President Obama called this the NEW Era of Responsibility. I guess it really means more Bush-it

[Insightful]

What is this!! A traveling circus. The taxpayers seem to be financing all of this educational (?) traveling taking place by the Obama family. Never saw anything like it with any president. It has just been a short time since he took office and they have totaled up several costly trips. How about practicing some discipline?

[elatas]

Bush travelled multiple times to Texas on AirForce1. Never heard anyone complain about the expense. Visiting other countries is the only way to open yourself to other cultures and values and not make the US the center of the universe. This is why this President is so good with diplomacy.

[MsAttitude]

Is Michelle the president? You seem to think so.

[letscutthebs]

Didn't President Obama vow to be different to Bush?

[LiberalBuzz]

Your hatred for the Obama's is pretty clean by all your other posts.

[greymom]

Michelle Obama gave up a high paying well over six figure job to work unpaid as our FLOTUS. She purchases her own clothes so that she can appear well and appropriately dressed for all occasions. She pays for her family's own food that is eaten in the White House. Did you know that? She also pays the equivalent of a first class ticket whenever she flies on Air Force One and that comes out of her own pocket.

She is an admirable representative and ambassador for our country and the world loves her. Look at it this way: The Obamas are having to pay, from their own pockets, a lot of money to try to improve the image of America after it was so badly stained by the previous Republican deeds and actions. Considering that the Obamas willingly paid almost a million dollars in taxes because their income from his very successful books was substantial and previous presidents were on vacation 1/3 of the time they were in office, forcing the entire staff to travel to Crawford Texas to try to get work done, Obama is a hard working example of frugality. They have only been back to their beloved Chicago once since taking office.

The Obamas are a bargain and you should be thrilled.

This next week will tell the tale when his appeal to the Muslim nations will cause pro-American polititians to be elected in these countries.

[letscutthebs]

Paris-London, London-US: (aprox. 20 hours at $55,000.00 per hour): $1,100,000.00
Minus First Class ticket:...­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.......$10­,000.00

Amount paid by tax payers for First Lady vacation..­..........­..........­..........­......$1,0­90,000.00

[trueamerican123]

Her job at Chicago hospital was "created" for her. How many of us are that lucky?Obama himself made millions by his books. He has been a professional politician all his life. His undergraduate school is just a level above community college. Michelle's high school grades were so low that she was advised not to apply for Princeton. They have been benefited from Affirmative action all their life. This is the our first affirmative action president. Ever wonder why this country is going down the drain? Do you want to watch a NBA game by affirmative action?

[Lee Warner]

Thank you for making sense. It's hard to understand why some people refuse to acknowledge the good that has already been achieved by the Obama administration. Bush spent a full 1/3 of his presidency in Crawford and other vacation spots, with huge travel expenses for his entire family, mom-pop-wi­fe-kids-fr­iends, and a gigantic entourage- other presidents have spent similar huge sums of money for travel- far in excess of any we're likely to experience from the current president. Thanks for being well informed.

[irisofei]

Hysterical! Is that what the Columbians think now that he opposed the democratic selection there. By the way, Michelle Obama was in a job that was created specifically for her at the University of Chicago. She has not been replaced and the job was only there until her hubby was elected President. It did not exist until he funneled money to the University of Chicago. If it was such an important job, why didn't it exist before the funds were transferred and why doesn't it exist now?

[bfniii]

"The Obamas are having to pay, from their own pockets, a lot of money to try to improve the image of America after it was so badly stained by the previous Republican deeds and actions."
did you ever consider the idea that the reason america's image was "stained" is because we were doing the RIGHT thing by protecting freedom around the world and the people who were unhappy were either evil or jealous? did we get any thanks? no.

"Considering that the Obamas willingly paid almost a million dollars in taxes because their income from his very successful books was substantial and previous presidents were on vacation 1/3 of the time they were in office, forcing the entire staff to travel to Crawford Texas to try to get work done, Obama is a hard working example of frugality. They have only been back to their beloved Chicago once since taking office."
was the trip necessary? no. it was a waste. again, bush worked while at home or at camp david. he wasn't out galavanting around. besides, we're talking about the first lady, not the president.

[kapalabhati]

Man, I'd hate to compete with that "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" essay come September!

"Well, after Dad wowed the international community with his address on Mideast relations in Cairo, Mom, my sister, and I went to Paris. Quelle citee magnifique! Then, we went to London, visited the Palace of Westminster, Buckhingam, Downing Street. Such history!"

You go, girls!

[trueamerican123]

May I add some more? "We also spent times with Harry Potter's cast members, which is a classic education. I am 10 or 11-year-old who dressed like a 'working girl', which is very classy. I am 7 or 8-year-old whose last Haloween's costume was the corpse bride, what a great childhood. The price of our scavenger hunt at white house is three older teenagers, the Jonas. " You know what we are still discriminated against. We totally deserve the affirmative action, and are guaranteed for Harvard.

[lovelivelaugh14]

"true american"--haha. Your bitterness blinds you and makes you incapable of making a cogent argument.

[ChiEg]

Fantastic! Hope the girls had a lovely time!

[hpgirl]

And before they were in London, they were shopping in Paris --

justjared.­buzznet.co­m/2009/06/­08/michell­e-obama-bo­npoint/

True jetsetters!!! I guess I'll go eat my brioche.....

[DeloresT]

I grew up poor as dirt, but once I had a decent job I couldn't wait to visit Europe. I was taken aback when I first heard that Bush (as wealthy as his family is) had NEVER been out of the country until he became president. The world is so small now that if possible, we all should travel. I am happy that the Obamas are doing this. If they were not in the White House I believe that they would travel with their family the same way that they are doing now. More power to them.

[mharg11]

I agree with you. Bushie only went to Mexico and New Zealand when daddy was there. The last 8 yrs he couldn't walk the streets or get out of his car to walk into a building. Had to be unloaded in the basement parking area under cover. Even a couple of months ago in Canada, there were protest when he was there.

[elan4444]

I, for one, am more than delighted that the first family is seeing the world. We need our leaders to understand what is happening in other countries, and not just from travel films. This is why we have "abroad" programs at most universities. I don't know what the fuss is all about - must have been a slow news day.