Queen Elizabeth Planning To Meet Barack Obama

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is planning an unofficial meeting with President Barack Obama. The 82-year-old royal will meet Obama when he comes to London next month to discuss the ongoing global financial crisis.

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If the meeting goes ahead, it will be very unusual as Obama won't be on an official State visit. A source told Britain's The Times newspaper: "There is a wish to do these things as discreetly as possible in the first instance."

It is understood the president will meet the queen at London's Buckingham Palace on April 1, a day after he lands in England.

The queen has met 10 of Obama's predecessors - the only president who has been in office during her reign who she didn't meet was Lyndon B. Johnson.

Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave an impassioned speech to the American Congress, calling on countries to work together to end the recession.

Obama phoned Brown to congratulate him on the speech as Brown was flying home.

During their chat, Obama thanked Brown for his gift of a penholder made from wood of HMS Gannet, a 19th century anti-slaving ship. The holder is now on Obama's desk in the Oval office.

The president gave Brown a set of 25 classic films.