On Monday, former U.S. President Barack Obama made an unanticipated visit to No. 10 Downing Street for a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Despite the British government’s clarity that the purpose of the visit had no relation with matters concerning the royal family, there is a buzz of curiosity on the exact purpose of the 44th president’s meeting.
“The Prime Minister welcomed Barack Obama to No 10 this afternoon for an informal meeting, as part of the former President’s visit to London with the Obama Foundation,” a Downing Street spokesperson told The New York Post. “They discussed a range of issues, including international affairs and AI.”
Obama, who founded the Obama Foundation with his wife Michelle in 2014, was observed entering British Prime Minister Sunak’s office via the back entrance around 3 p.m. London time. He stayed for approximately an hour before leaving with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jane Hartley.
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Despite attempts by reporters to engage him in questioning outside No. 10, Obama, showing a hint of humor, responded, “I’m tempted,” before departing in a waiting motorcade. During his tenure as the 44th president, he visited London thrice, with his final trip occurring in April 2016.
He recently addressed a packed audience at the FTI SuperNova technology festival in Belgium and made a notable appearance at Laeken Castle in Brussels, where he posed for a photo alongside Belgium’s King Philippe and Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant.
Sunak, aged 43, has been vocal about the necessity of updating governmental policies to accommodate the advancements of artificial intelligence. In an effort toward this modernization, he hosted an AI Safety Summit last autumn, which was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Obama’s visit coincides with the heightened drama surrounding Buckingham Palace, particularly concerning the Princess of Wales’ absence following abdominal surgery earlier this year.
Speculation regarding her health intensified after the release of a manipulated family photo last week. Adding to the intrigue, The Sun newspaper published images of Kate and Prince William on Monday evening shopping for groceries in Windsor over the weekend.
