WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama plan to visit the United Kingdom on an official state visit in May, the White House said Thursday.
Press secretary Jay Carney said, "This will be the president's first European state visit, a sign of the strength of the relationship between our two countries and a sign of his enduring commitment to our European allies," The Hill in Washington and the British Broadcasting Corp. reported.
The Obamas' trip to London, May 24-26, will mark the first state visit by a U.S. president since President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush went in 2003, the BBC reported.
A state visit is a formal event in which a visiting head of state is hosted by the Queen and given full ceremonial trappings, the BBC said.
The two heads of state confer frequently on international security issues -- most recently about the Egyptian change in government, The Hill reported.
