Michelle Obama received a rapturous round of applause as she arrived at Oxford University's Christ Church College on Wednesday to meet a group of schoolgirls from an inner-city secondary school.
The solo visit by the President's wife was arranged at her suggestion to help encourage the pupils from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school in North London to think about studying for a degree.
The First Lady had visited the school two years ago and has kept in touch ever since, writing letters and encouraging the girls in their studies.
The 37 girls present were specially picked because they are interested in science and need help to reach their full potential.
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| Fashion-inspiration: Michelle Obama wore a white tunic shirt and belt by Alexander McQueen for her speech at Oxford University |
Dressed in black trousers, a long white Alexander McQueen jacket worth £600 and a £500 gold and white McQueen belt, Mrs Obama was greeted like an old friend as she entered the college's dining room.
The girls sat at two long tables to listen to her remarks, in a scene that will be familiar to fans of the Harry Potter films - the dining room was used as the set for the Grand Hall at Hogwarts in the movies.
In a question and answer session with the pupils, Mrs Obama, who is a mother of two girls, spoke on everything from bringing up children in the White House to when there will be a female U.S. president.
One girl asked her if she knew when she first met Mr Obama that he would achieve great things. To laughter from the youngsters, she replied: 'Absolutely not', before adding: 'I'm kidding. Honestly, when I met him I knew he was special. I'm sharing secrets here.'
In an inspiring speech, Mrs Obama told the girls: 'We passionately believe that you have the talent within you, you have the drive, the experience to succeed at Oxford and universities just like it across the country and the world.'
Referring to her own experience of attending university, she added: 'I remember back at a young age trying to decide what schools to apply to and how well-meaning but misguided people questioned whether someone with my background could succeed at an elite university.
'But after a few months away from home I realised I was just as capable and I had just as much to offer (as) any of my classmates.'
Mrs Obama was also asked how different it is to bring her daughters up in the White House.
She joked that there were now more cameras but added that her feelings about being a mother had not changed. 'The same things I tell my girls are the things I tell you,' she said. 'Don't be afraid to fail, don't be afraid to take risks, ask questions, ask stupid questions, don't be afraid to trip, fall and don't be afraid to get back up.'
At the end of the hour-long visit, Mrs Obama gave each of the girls a hug.
One pupil, Gabriele Watts, 15, said: 'It was amazing. She can relate to us because she's got children around the same age as us, and she comes from a similar background to us.'
On Wednesday morning, Michelle attended a barbecue for British and American service members and veterans at Downing Street, wearing embellished black and white chiffon top and skirt but made a quick change ahead of the public speech.
For her visit to Buckingham Palace, Michelle's outfit divided critics as she wore a printed floral dress by LA-based designer Barbara Tfank that was similar to the Queen's. Later on, she changed into a magenta dress by Roksanda Ilincic and electric blue coat for her meeting with the Camerons.
But she stole the show in a white gown by Tom Ford at the Palace banquet on Tuesday night.
© Daily Mail, London |
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