U.S. President Barack Obama will make a state visit to Britain in May at the invitation of the Queen, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
Obama will be accompanied by his wife, Michelle, on the May 24-26 visit when they will stay at the palace.
The White House simultaneously confirmed the visit, which will be Obama's first European state visit.
The trip was "a sign of the strength of the special relationship between our two countries and of the United States' enduring commitment to its European and NATO allies and partners," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
It is the first state visit to Britain by a U.S. president since George W. Bush in November 2003. Some 100,000 demonstrators turned out in London to protest against Bush's visit, which took place soon after the Iraq war.
Only one or two leaders make a state visit to Britain each year for a stay marked by pomp, military guards of honour and formal banquets.
Obama will visit less than a month after Prince William marries Kate Middleton on April 29.
Obama has already met the Queen, taking tea with her while in London for the G20 summit in 2009. The queen has struck up a warm relationship with Michelle Obama, according to royal sources.
When Mrs. Obama made a private visit to the British capital in June 2009 with daughters Malia and Sasha, they were given a private three-hour tour of Buckingham Palace, including a meeting with the queen.
The 84-year-old monarch has met many U.S. presidents during her 59-year reign.
President Dwight Eisenhower visited her at Balmoral Castle in 1959, President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline dined with her at Buckingham Palace in 1961 and President Richard Nixon had lunch with her at Buckingham Palace in 1969.
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