Sophia Michaels
In contrast to several nations, the United States lacks a monarchy; thus, the concept of nobility hasn’t taken much hold. The closest approximation might be former President Obama, who during his presidency resembled a modern monarch. His daughters, Malia and Sasha, acted like princesses, and they had the unique opportunity to interact with real royalty. During a visit to Buckingham Palace, they experienced a memorable moment with the late Queen Elizabeth.
Being the children of the world’s most influential leader had its advantages. While many kids enjoy leisurely beach vacations, Sasha and Malia often traveled aboard Air Force One to premier locations around the globe. On one summer visit to London, they toured popular sites — including a behind-the-scenes look at the “Harry Potter” film set — and received a personal tour of Buckingham Palace courtesy of the Queen herself. Their mother, Michelle Obama, recounted how the Queen surprised them with an extravagant glimpse into a lavish golden room for Sasha’s birthday. She shared this memorable experience during a panel discussion at a 2018 event (via Hello!), stating, “It was Sasha’s birthday, and the Queen opened the house and she let us see that room.”
This was not the sole occasion when the Queen went above and beyond for the Obama family. During Barack Obama’s second year in office, the girls enjoyed another memorable visit to the palace, even without their parents joining in.
Sasha and Malia rode in the Queen’s golden carriage
Queen Elizabeth appeared to have a fondness for the Obama daughters, inviting Sasha and Malia to Buckingham Palace alongside their grandmother, Marian Robinson, without their renowned parents. During the 2022 Inbound Conference, Barack Obama revealed that upon learning of their visit, the Queen ensured they received a proper greeting. He explained, “There was no expectation that they would be seeing her.” Buckingham Palace reached out, and the Queen graciously invited them over for tea.
This visit was far more than just a casual tea. Barack noted that the Queen made it a special occasion by offering the girls a rare experience not typically included in the standard palace tour. “I had Malia, who was then eleven, and Sasha, who was eight, along with my mother-in-law who had lived her whole life in Chicago, sitting with the Queen of England,” he recounted. “She insisted the girls take a ride in her golden carriage, which she usually uses for jubilees, for a lengthy drive through the Palace grounds. None of this was ever reported; it was just something she did quietly.”
Who would’ve thought Queen Elizabeth had such a cool side? While Sasha and Malia may now share moments with celebrities like Drake, a private invitation from the Queen of England, combined with a ride in her royal carriage, is hard to surpass — a lifelong advantage!
