Michelle Obama G-8 White House Tour: First Lady Hosts Spouses From Around The Globe

WASHINGTON -- While President Barack Obama hosted world leaders Saturday for high-level economic talks at Camp David, Michelle Obama engaged in some soft diplomacy with their spouses.

The first lady hosted a tour of the White House on Saturday for the spouses of the Group of Eight leaders. White House curator Bill Allman led the tour, which included stops in the East Room, where the visitors viewed portraits of George and Martha Washington, and the State Dining Room.

During a walk through the Grand Foyer, Mrs. Obama, wearing a purple sundress, explained how the president walks through the long hallway into the East Room for news conferences and other events.

Following the tour, Mrs. Obama and the G-8 spouses gathered in the White House Blue Room for a lunch prepared by renowned chef Jose Andres.

On the menu: gazpacho; Maryland rockfish with asparagus, grapefruit, Virginia berries, greens from the White House garden and caramelized olive oil; and tangerine sorbet with Virginia strawberries.

Mrs. Obama was joined by several new faces on the international political stage, including Elsa Antonioli Monti, whose husband, Mario, took over as Italy's prime minister late last year, and Valerié Trierweiler, the partner of newly sworn-in French President Francois Hollande. Italy and France are among the countries where economic turmoil has led to political shake-ups.

On Saturday evening, Mrs. Obama was to travel with the president to Chicago for the national security-focused NATO summit.

The first lady will host gatherings for the spouses of NATO leaders, including an event at a youth center and a dinner at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[kitty stables]

09:36 PM on 05/20/2012

Barf she always tries to out shine the other ladies. Michelle has no class respect for others! All about her................

[grandmajer]

01:55 PM on 05/21/2012

Apparently she does, you noticed!

[kevhar12]

11:09 PM on 05/22/2012

That`s why you only have 2 fans.

[pj-smith]

09:34 PM on 05/20/2012

what a boring bunch of comments....

[pj-smith]

09:32 PM on 05/20/2012

How pathetic that we leave the big decisions to the men (mostly).
This photo shows how far we we have not come.

[Kathie Hansen]

09:01 PM on 05/20/2012

I feel so lucky and proud to have M as our first lady- she really is a treat

[Rebecca Carey]

08:47 PM on 05/20/2012

We are lucky to have such a Beautiful, Intelligent First Lady.
Four More Years!

[Littlekit]

07:27 PM on 05/20/2012

I will echo all the nice posts eveyone has said.

[rheuer111]

07:16 PM on 05/20/2012

so glad that this smart, warm, classy woman is our first lady. :)

[bhaines213]

07:43 PM on 05/20/2012

I agree!! She makes me feel very proud.

[zdeedle]

06:49 PM on 05/20/2012

man, she is a striking woman. smart, compassionate, impressive. she's cool.

[Reedo1981]

06:39 PM on 05/20/2012

"Mrs. Obama, wearing a purple sundress, explained how the president walks through the long hallway into the East Room for news conferences and other events."

I'm sure that how the Prez walks the hallways was very interesting for them. All that class and poise from the other wives and then there's MO. January can't get here soon enough.

[zdeedle]

06:48 PM on 05/20/2012

meow

[sydneymoon]

07:09 PM on 05/20/2012

Michellle Obama is beautiful.

[yebor]

06:17 PM on 05/20/2012

she coolsmartbeautifil! i think that triple "threat" makes some of the more, let's call them spineless americans afraid.

[Ann Clark]

05:57 PM on 05/20/2012

The First Lady is a gem in the White House. Lovely, witty and tasteful always.

[JDOK]

05:51 PM on 05/20/2012

Michelle always does the US proud........I'm glad she's our 1st lady.

[Gwendolyn Rouse]

03:44 PM on 05/20/2012

First Lady is looking good. Keep up the good work.

[Sherley]

03:09 PM on 05/20/2012

Nice and feminine. Love the color.

[Katie]

03:03 PM on 05/20/2012

I think Michelle and the French First Lady both look tres chic!