This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7976028.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Sarah Brown hosts Michelle Obama Michelle Obama visit draws crowds
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah is hosting US First Lady Michelle Obama ahead of the G20 summit. US First Lady Michelle Obama has attracted crowds of supporters on a visit to a hospital with the prime minister's wife, Sarah Brown.
They visited Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, central London, with both due later at a reception held by the Queen. The two leaders' wives met patients at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in Charing Cross, central London.
Mrs Obama's visit to Maggie's, opened last year by Mrs Brown, coincided with the first anniversary of the centre. Mrs Obama, in the UK with her husband for the G2 summit on Thursday, is also due to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace later.
Mrs Brown will also host other G20 leaders' spouses gathering in the city ahead of Thursday's summit. Mrs Brown is expected to meet several other leaders' spouses.
On her visit to Maggie's, Mrs Obama brought an undisclosed gift, which she gave to Laura Lee, the centre's chief executive. During the hour-long visit to Maggie's, which coincided with the centre's first anniversary, Mrs Obama met patients.
Gifts
Wearing a green pencil skirt, cream sparkly cardigan, animal print heels and a pearl necklace, she stopped to wave to crowds chanting "Obama" and "Michelle".
Mrs Obama donated a book about the White House and a silver encased notepad and bookmark.
She and Mrs Brown, wearing a navy blue dress, met a family privately and were introduced to three male cancer patients.
They also sat in on a make-up session for women suffering from cancer.
Sarah Brown and Michelle Obama at Maggie's Cancer Caring CentreSarah Brown and Michelle Obama at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre
Mrs Obama paused to wave after she was greeted by cheers and screams and shouts of "Obama, Obama". The First Lady shared beauty tips and described how her own make-up artist, whom she described as "wonderful", takes part in a similar programme.
She 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. Mrs Obama and Mrs Brown also had a cup of tea with staff and patients.
Introducing herself as "Michelle", she said she was planning a bee hive for the White House garden, joking: "We have a big lawn."
In a short speech, she 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.""I was impressed with the centre's warm and caring environment and enjoyed meeting the people who work and get services here."
The First Lady met a family privately, then was introduced to three male patients to discuss the benefits of the centre. Mrs Brown, who is patron of Maggie's, said: "Bringing Michelle to the London centre was a great opportunity to demonstrate the role that Maggie's plays in the community, inspiring wellbeing through their design and providing the emotional support required to live with a critical illness such as cancer.
She then moved on to sit in on a make-up session for women suffering from cancer. "They were originally inspired by American influences in the provision of cancer support which has now taken root all over the UK."
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. The Obamas are due to eat a meal at Downing Street later on Wednesday, as well as attending the Buckingham Palace reception.
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."
Mrs Obama shared gardening tips as she sat with staff and visitors, and described how her family planned to set up a beehive at the White House, joking: "We have a big lawn."