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US First Lady visits cancer centrePlay

US First Lady visits cancer centre

Published: Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 12:47PM

The US First Lady has toured a cancer centre as part of her UK visit with husband Barack Obama, who is attending the G20 summit.

As their spouses held talks at Downing Street, Michelle Obama and Sarah Brown, the wife of the Prime Minister, visited the first purpose-built Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at London's Charing Cross Hospital.

Wearing a green pencil skirt and cream sparkly cardigan by J Crew, Mrs Obama arrived in a convoy greeted by a waiting press and centre staff. Mrs Brown looked equally elegant in a navy blue Britt Lintner dress and Astley Clarke jewellery.

The First Lady paused outside the centre, which was opened a year ago by Mrs Brown, who is its patron, and brought an undisclosed gift, which she gave to Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie's.

The centre offers a state-of-the-art area for people affected by any type of cancer to get information, practical advice and emotional support.

The First Lady met a family privately, then was introduced to three male cancer patients to discuss the benefits of the centre. Mrs Obama and Mrs Brown then moved on to sit in on a make-up session for women suffering from cancer.

The First Lady shared make-up tips with the women and described how her own make-up artist, whom she described as "wonderful", takes part in a similar programme.

She then helped mark the centre's first birthday as Ms Lee blew out a single candle on a specially-baked chocolate-coated sponge cake.

Mrs Obama described Maggie's as "amazing", saying: "This is pretty incredible. This is pretty amazing, it's an oasis - an oasis that's necessary for people who are struggling. The building actualises their journey in so many ways."

She even shared gardening tips as she sat with staff and visitors, and described how they planned to have a beehive, joking: "We have a big lawn."

Speaking of her visit, Mrs Obama said: "I was delighted to be invited by Sarah Brown to help wish Maggie's a happy first birthday in London. Community jewels like this centre should always be celebrated.

"I was impressed with the centre's warm and caring environment and enjoyed meeting the people who work and get services here."

Earlier, President Obama revealed the things he likes about Britain - and top of his list was the Queen. He said her "decency and civility" are important to people across the US.

Mr Obama said he and Mrs Obama are greatly looking forward to meeting the Queen for the first time in an audience at Buckingham Palace.

During a press conference with Mr Brown, Mr Obama said: "There's one last thing I should mention that I love about Great Britain and that's the Queen, so I am very much looking forward to meeting her for the first time later this evening.

"As you might imagine, Michelle has been really thinking about it too. I think in the imagination of people throughout America, what the Queen stands for, her decency and her civility and what she represents is very important."

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