Queen Elizabeth's invitation to Obama

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has invited Barack Obama on his first official state visit to the UK.

The US president - alongside his wife Michelle and daughters, Malia, 12, and nine-year-old Sasha - will travel to the UK in May in what will be the first state visit by an American political leader in eight years.

As well as spending three days as the monarch's guests at Buckingham Palace, Obama will visit British prime minister David Cameron to discuss counter-terrorism methods, the Afghanistan war and economic recovery.

The president will also be introduced to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Milliband at a white tie banquet, which will be hosted by the queen in his honour.

Meanwhile, Obama is also expected to travel outside of London to host a banquet for the monarch during his May 24 - 26 visit.

According to the Daily Mail newspaper, the royal invitation has come about as a result of the close friendship between Queen Elizabeth and Michelle Obama - which began when they were first introduced in 2009 - who both share a love of the countryside and gardening.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We are very pleased that this visit is taking place. It is a sign of the strong and enduring relationship between our two countries."