It was a jam-packed day for the Trudeau family in Washington, D.C. as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.
Wherever the Trudeaus and Obamas went, the cameras weren’t far behind.
READ MORE: ‘It’s about time, eh?’ Obama welcomes Trudeau at White House
While the prime minister and president sat down for meetings and held a joint press conference, complete with a few jabs about hockey and beer, the first lady and Grégoire-Trudeau spent their morning promoting the importance of education for girls around the globe.
READ MORE: Obama and Trudeau joke about beer, hockey during White House welcoming
PM Trudeau was the toast of a state luncheon at the State Department, prepared by a Canadian-born celebrity chef, but the event that has Washington waiting with bated breath will be the state dinner at the White House Thursday evening — a lavish affair that hasn’t been held for a Canadian prime minister in nearly 20 years.
Here’s a look at the Trudeaus’ day in D.C.
Handshakes, hugs and high-fives
The Trudeaus and Obamas walked the White House South Lawn to meet and greet an excited crowd of onlookers, as the the prime minister’s official visit got underway.
The Trudeau family’s visit inside the Oval Office was lower key, but the prime minister’s official photographer, Adam Scotti, was on hand to catch one memorable moment when the youngest Trudeau, 2-year-old Hadrien, showed off his presidential high-five.
All smiles for ‘soulmates’ Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Michelle Obama
It was also a busy day for Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Michelle Obama, but one full of smiles, laughter and hugs — and even a song. Grégoire-Trudeau addressed a crowd of women and girls at a special event for Let Girls Learn, a White House program championed by the first lady.
The pair struck up a fast friendship, with the first lady telling the audience Grégoire-Trudeau was already her “soulmate” and they were “going to get in a lot of trouble before this day is over.”
Grégoire-Trudeau even came to the rescue of her new-found friend at one point.
Trudeau toasts at State Department state luncheon
The morning’s events culminated with a luncheon fit for a king or a prime minister at the State Department. Secretary of State John Kerry toasted Trudeau, before a room of dignitaries dined on a luncheon prepared by a fellow Canadian — Montreal-born chef Spike Mendelsohn.
READ MORE: Lunch for Trudeau’s state visit taps Canadian celebrity chef
The stars will come out for the star event — the state dinner
The highest profile event of the entire visit will be the state dinner in Prime Minister Trudeau’s honour at the White House Thursday evening.
The guest list for the event includes a slate of dignitaries and officials from both governments, but also an array of Canadian-born Hollywood stars like Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers.
READ MORE: Guess who’s coming to PM Trudeau’s state dinner? Here’s the guest list.
The Trudeaus and the Obamas arrived in style. Grégoire-Trudeau wore a dress by Canadian designer Lucian Matis, who also designed the dress she wore earlier in the day. The first lady wore a print dress by designer Jason Wu, also a Canadian. The prime minister and president both dunned tuxedos. And all were smiling for the cameras.
Served on the Obama China Service, the officials, dignitaries and celebrities in attendance will be dining on a spring-themed menu – with some Canadian accents like maple syrup and Canadian whisky.
READ MORE: Trudeau goes to Washington: White House reveals spring-themed menu for state dinner
Here’s a sneak peek inside main event.
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