Formal Political Reception Photos

Group portraits of prominent figures, including political leaders and their spouses, captured at formal receptions with elegant attire.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, and his wife, Mrs. Zuma, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden, and his wife, Mrs. Filippa Reinfeldt, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with T.H. Fredrick Fono, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development and Indigenous Affairs of Solomon Islands, and his wife, Mrs. Helen A. Fono, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and his wife, Mrs. Constancia Mangue de Obiang, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Emanuel Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, and his wife, Mrs. Emma Nelson Mori, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Dr. Nicholas J.O. Liverpool, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and his wife, Mrs. Liverpool, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, G.C.S.K. Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, and his wife, Mrs. Veena Ramgoolam, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Jean-Marie Ehouzou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie, and the Beninese Diaspora of the Republic of Benin, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, and his wife, Mrs. Zuma, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Stjepan Mesic, President of the Republic of Croatia, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Oscar Arias Sanchez, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, and his daughter, Miss Sylvia Arias, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Her Excellency Dr. Rumiana Jeleva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, and Mr. Krasimir Zhelev, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. John William Ashe, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, and his wife, Mrs. Ashe, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with T.H. Apisai Ielemia, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and his wife, Lady Ielemia, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with T.H. Milo Djukanovic Prime Minister of Montenegro, and his wife, Mrs. Djukanovic, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden talk in the West Garden Room of the White House, prior to an event with the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams on the South Lawn, Sept. 14, 2012.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, President of the Dominican Republic, and H.E. Margarita de Fernandez, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Jonas Gahr Store, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama console Paul and Janet Monti, parents of Army Sgt. 1st. Class Jared C. Monti in the Blue Room following a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Ms. Roman Tesfaye, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.

Sept. 17, 2009 The President and First Lady console Paul and Janet Monti, parents of Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, in the Blue Room of the White House following a Medal of Honor ceremony for their son.”

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Republic of Maldives, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and his wife, Mrs. Koroma, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama receive visitors in the Blue Room of the White House, Jan. 21, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Her Excellency Aurelia Frick, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance together during the Governors Ball in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 21, 2010.

President Barack Obama watches First Lady Michelle Obama dance with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month, Feb. 18, 2016.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with T.H. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and his wife, Mrs. Baugh, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Samuel Santos Lopez, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Nicaragua, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome President Hu Jintao of China at the North Portico of the White House for the State Dinner, Jan. 19, 2011.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Roble Olhaye, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Valdis Zatlers, M.D., President of the Republic of Latvia, and his wife, Mrs. Lilita Zatlere, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and First Lady Constancia Mangue de Obiang, in the Blue Room during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit dinner at the White House, Aug. 5, 2014.

Event hosted by Secretary Condoleezza Rice in the Benjamin Franklin Room, marking the launch of the Ralph Bunche Societies Initiative.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Anastassis Mitsialis, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with T.H. Marcus Stephen, M.P. President of the Republic of Nauru, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

Feb. 24, 2013 "The President and First Lady joke with the Vice President and Dr. Biden in the Blue Room of the White House before the National Governors Association Dinner."

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Central African Republic H.E. Faustin A. Touadera, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Ronald Jumeau, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama talk with Vicki Kennedy, widow of Senator Ted Kennedy, upon arrival for the dedication of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, Mass., March 30, 2015.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets guests at the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., March 15, 2011.

First Ladies Barbara Bush and Michelle Obama walk into a ceremony in the East Room of the White House to present the 5,000 'Daily Point of Life' on July 15, 2013.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur, for the State Dinner at the White House, Nov. 24, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama listen as Gladys Knight performs during the Governors Dinner in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 27, 2011.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Nguyen Minh Triet, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Vice President Biden after he gives his second Inaugural speech at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and First Lady Akie Abe join the cast of "Jersey Boys" on stage after their State Dinner performance in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 28, 2015.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, and Mrs. Khjidsurengiin Bolormaa, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

Sept. 22, 2015 "The Obama family and Biden family greet Pope Francis as he arrives in the United States for the first time at Joint Base Andrews."

Event hosted by Secretary Condoleezza Rice in the Benjamin Franklin Room, marking the launch of the Ralph Bunche Societies Initiative.

First Lady Michelle Obama claps during the entertainment portion of the State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, left, and his wife, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, held in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House, Nov. 24, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom pose for a photo with 2014 International Women of Courage Awardee Rusudan Gotsiridze, Bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, at the 2014 Secretary of State�s International Women of Courage Award Ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2014.

First Lady Michelle Obama watches a performance during a symposium program on advancement for women and girls in Africa, with U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit spouses at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2014. Seated with her, from left, are: Constancia Mangue de Obiang, First Lady of Equatorial Guinea; former First Lady Laura Bush; Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic; and Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actress Meryl Streep during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 24, 2014.

First Lady Michelle Obama honors 2014 International Women of Courage Awardee Rusudan Gotsiridze, Bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, at the 2014 Secretary of State�s International Women of Courage Award Ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2014.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.

First Lady Michelle Obama talks with, from left, Michelle Williams, Lyle Lovett, Darlene Love, Rodney Crowell and Rhiannon Giddens in the Old Family Dining Room before "The History of Gospel" PBS student workshop at the White House, April 14, 2015.

Visit of figure skating star Michelle Kwan to State, where she joined Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes in the Treaty Room for the announcement of Kwan's appointment as the first American Public Diplomacy Envoy. In the role, Kwan, a five time World Champion and two time Olympic medalist, will reach out to international young people by visiting their schools and clubs to speak about leadership and to engage them in dialogue on social and educational issues.

President Barack Obama greets President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil at the United Nations, prior to addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2014.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton poses for a photo at the Art in Embassies 50th Anniversary Luncheon at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., November 30, 2012.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance during the 2009 Nobel Banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009.

First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with 2017 International Women of Courage Awardee Rebecca Kabugho of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2017.

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with a high-ranking member of the Indian Delegation at the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue reception at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2010.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele Obama talk with the 2012 Kennedy Center Honorees in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception in the East Room, Dec. 2, 2012. Honorees, from left, are: Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy, Led Zeppelin keyboardist and bassist John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, ballerina Natalia Makarova, actor Dustin Hoffman, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and television comedian David Letterman.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, greet family members and local dignitaries at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, N.Y., on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.

First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with 2017 International Women of Courage Awardee Sandya Eknelygoda of Sri Lanka during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2017.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Margarita Zavala watch the State Arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, May 19, 2010.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo during a reception at the Metropolitan Museum in New York with H.E. Nasser Judeh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.

Mexico, Los Pinos Presidential Estate, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice meets with Mexican President Vicente Fox and Foreign Minister Ernesto Luiz Derbez

First Lady Michelle Obama cheers Counselor of the Year semi-finalists and finalists in the Blue Room prior to an event honoring them in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 30, 2015.

President Barack Obama welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis to the White House at an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on September 23, 2015.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton poses for a photo with civil society activists at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on February 16, 2011.

President Barack Obama talks with White House staff members while he waits in the Red Room prior to a press availabilty in the State Dining Room May 11, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom pose for a photo with 2014 Secretary of State�s International Women of Courage Award Winner Ruslana Lyzhychko, a EuroMaidan volunteer and People�s Artist of Ukraine, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2014.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet Tuskeegee Airmen in the East Garden Room of the White House prior to a screening of the film, Red Tails” in the Family Theater, Jan. 13, 2012.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry poses for a photo with 2016 Kennedy Center Honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 2016.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wait in the Green Room of the White House with Sylvia Mendez and Bill Russell as recipients of the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom are introduced in the East Room, Feb. 15, 2011.

President Barack Obama embraces Myrlie Evers-Williams during her visit in the Oval Office, June 4, 2013. The President met with the Evers family to commemorate the approaching 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers' death.

Event hosted by Secretary Condoleezza Rice in the Benjamin Franklin Room, marking the launch of the Ralph Bunche Societies Initiative.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan chats with Emerging Young Leaders Awardees before a ceremony held in their honor at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2016.

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with a high-ranking member of the Indian Delegation at the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue reception at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2010.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks at the swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Sung Kim, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on November 3, 2016.

First Lady Melania Trump presents the 2017 International Women of Courage Award to Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista of Peru during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2017.

First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with 2017 International Women of Courage Awardee Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista of Peru during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2017.

First Lady of the United States Melania Trump presents the 2018 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award to Dr. Feride Rushiti of Kosovo during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 2018.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet the family of Senior Master Sergeant Roland Paramore (not pictured) aboard Air Force One prior to departure en route to New York, Sept. 19, 2011.

First Lady of the United State Melania Trump greets the 2019 International Women of Courage Awardees back stage before the ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2019.

Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland presents President Barack Obama with the Nobel Prize medal and diploma during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Raadhuset Main Hall at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009.

Visit of figure skating star Michelle Kwan to State, where she joined Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes in the Treaty Room for the announcement of Kwan's appointment as the first American Public Diplomacy Envoy. In the role, Kwan, a five time World Champion and two time Olympic medalist, will reach out to international young people by visiting their schools and clubs to speak about leadership and to engage them in dialogue on social and educational issues.

First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photo with 2017 International Women of Courage Awardee Veronica Simogun of Papua New Guinea during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2017.

President Barack Obama talks with Rachel Robinson before the 42” movie screening with Robinson family members, cast, and crew in the Family Theater at the White House, April 2, 2013.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Heroes, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2011.

President Barack Obama talks with Amy Wilhite and daughter Taylor, who has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow, following his remarks on the 90-day anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, in the East Room of the White House, June 22, 2010.

First Lady of the United States Melania Trump poses for a photo with the 2018 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awardees during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 2018. The 2018 awardees are Roya Sadat of Afghanistan, Aura Elena Farfan of Guatemala, Dr. Julissa Villanueva of Honduras, Aliyah Khalaf Saleh of Iraq, Sister Maria Elena Berini of Italy (nominated by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See), Aiman Umarova of Kazakhstan, Dr. Feride Rushiti of Kosovo, L�Malouma Said of Mauritania, Godelive Mukasarasi of Rwanda and Sirikan Charoensiri of Thailand.

President Barack Obama congratulates head coach Lin Dunn as she and the WNBA Champion Indiana Fever attend an event honoring the team and their victory in the WNBA Finals, in the East Room of the White House, June 14, 2013.

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