Obama gifts Queen Elizabeth an iPod

The diplomatic challenges facing US President Barack Obama during his trip to the G20 summit included this one: What gift to give his host in Britain, the queen?

The diplomatic challenges facing US President Barack Obama during his trip to the G20 summit included this one: What gift to give his host in Britain, the queen?

Gift giving, when mishandled, can cause a stir, as Obama discovered when British PM Gordon Brown visited the White House in March, and the British press slammed Obama's presentation of DVDs of Hollywood films as

MEET AND GREET: US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, are welcomed by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. pic/ap

declasse. It didn't help that the DVDs didn't work in European players.

Yesterday, Obama stuck with a technology gift when he visited Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. But this time he added a more personal touch.

The president, who was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, gave the Queen an iPod loaded with a video and photographs of the queen's 2007 visit to the US.

He also gave her a songbook signed by composer Richard Rodgers.

But the Obamas seem to have goofed up once again. According to the British media the queen already has TWO iPods.

In June 2005, the queen had sent one of her retinue to the Apple Store to get her in the iPod groove.
Then she was reported to have received one from her grandson Prince William in 2006. On this one she stores her favorite British classical concert.

In return, the queen gave the president a silver-framed, signed photograph of her and her husband, Prince Philip, which is reported to be a standard present for visiting dignitaries.

Also uploaded onto the iPod... > Photos from President Obama's Inauguration > Audio of then-state senator Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention > Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address > 40 songs from popular Broadway productionsu00a0