Barack Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the controversial issue during a joint press conference or at a town hall-style meeting with youngsters on Saturday.
London, United Kingdom:
US President Barack Obama arrived in Britain on Thursday, where he is set to wade into the poisonous Brexit debate and have lunch with Queen Elizabeth II.
Air Force One touched down at London Stansted Airport, northeast of the British capital, at around 9:45 pm (2045 GMT), beginning what is Obama's fifth and likely final presidential visit to the kingdom
The president, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, will pay tribute to the queen, who turned 90 on Thursday, when they meet at Windsor Castle, west of London.
"The president has very much enjoyed his engagements with the queen over the years," said top Obama foreign policy aide Ben Rhodes.
The queen has reigned since 1952, during which time she has met with a string of US presidents from Harry Truman to Obama, who leaves office in January.
The popular monarch has little influence on politics despite her role as head of state, but over the decades she has been a figurehead and ballast for Britons navigating imperial decline, the Cold War and political tumult.
During birthday celebrations Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron hailed her as "a rock of strength for our nation".
Meanwhile her eldest son and heir Prince Charles said she was held in "love and affection" across Britain and the wider Commonwealth.
Down to business
After lunch at Windsor Castle today, Obama will travel to Cameron's Downing Street office for talks that come ahead of a crunch British referendum on European Union membership on June 23.
Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the controversial issue during a joint press conference or at a town hall-style meeting with youngsters on Saturday.
Britain's departure from the EU -- a so-called Brexit -- could have deep ramifications for Washington's "special relationship" with London, and on the stability of the 28-country bloc itself.
Obama has consistently said he favours a strong Britain in a strong EU.
Seen from Washington, Cameron's decision to call a referendum was a bold -- if not downright risky -- gamble that could leave Britain and the EU badly weakened.
"Obama is not an instinctive pro-European," said Ian Bond of the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank.
"He opposes Brexit because it risks creating more problems for America in Europe."
Polls put the pro-EU and Brexit camps neck-and-neck among those who express a preference to vote, although there is a large pool of people who remain undecided.
Obama's "focus is on how Brexit would affect Europe's ability to help America tackle international problems," said Bond.
Britain has long been a key conduit for US influence in Europe.
Brexit Intervention Risk
Obama's seven years in office have seen the United States try to disentangle itself from wars in the Muslim world and pivot toward the growing economies of Asia.
Europe, with its historic links to America, has often seemed to be an afterthought.
But sovereign debt crises, jihadist terror attacks and now Britain's potential exit from the EU have thrust the continent back onto Obama's agenda.
But for the US president, wading in is not without risk.
Pro-Brexit supporters include popular London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy" for his comments in favour of Britain staying in the bloc.
"I just think it's paradoxical that the United States, which wouldn't dream of allowing the slightest infringement on its own sovereignty, should be lecturing other countries," New York-born Johnson said on Tuesday.
More than 100 members of Britain's parliament have reportedly written to the US ambassador in London to make their displeasure known.
Even before Obama touched down, Britain's anti-EU crowd was clamouring to cast him as a meddling outsider.
It could be a potent argument in a country that shares cultural affinities with the United States, but which is deeply wary of being treated as Washington's lapdog.
During Obama's visit he and the first lady will also have dinner today with Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince William, his wife Kate and his brother Prince Harry.
From Britain he will travel to Germany for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other EU leaders.
Air Force One touched down at London Stansted Airport, northeast of the British capital, at around 9:45 pm (2045 GMT), beginning what is Obama's fifth and likely final presidential visit to the kingdom
The president, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, will pay tribute to the queen, who turned 90 on Thursday, when they meet at Windsor Castle, west of London.
"The president has very much enjoyed his engagements with the queen over the years," said top Obama foreign policy aide Ben Rhodes.
The queen has reigned since 1952, during which time she has met with a string of US presidents from Harry Truman to Obama, who leaves office in January.
The popular monarch has little influence on politics despite her role as head of state, but over the decades she has been a figurehead and ballast for Britons navigating imperial decline, the Cold War and political tumult.
During birthday celebrations Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron hailed her as "a rock of strength for our nation".
Meanwhile her eldest son and heir Prince Charles said she was held in "love and affection" across Britain and the wider Commonwealth.
Down to business
After lunch at Windsor Castle today, Obama will travel to Cameron's Downing Street office for talks that come ahead of a crunch British referendum on European Union membership on June 23.
Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the controversial issue during a joint press conference or at a town hall-style meeting with youngsters on Saturday.
Britain's departure from the EU -- a so-called Brexit -- could have deep ramifications for Washington's "special relationship" with London, and on the stability of the 28-country bloc itself.
Obama has consistently said he favours a strong Britain in a strong EU.
Seen from Washington, Cameron's decision to call a referendum was a bold -- if not downright risky -- gamble that could leave Britain and the EU badly weakened.
"Obama is not an instinctive pro-European," said Ian Bond of the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank.
"He opposes Brexit because it risks creating more problems for America in Europe."
Polls put the pro-EU and Brexit camps neck-and-neck among those who express a preference to vote, although there is a large pool of people who remain undecided.
Obama's "focus is on how Brexit would affect Europe's ability to help America tackle international problems," said Bond.
Britain has long been a key conduit for US influence in Europe.
Brexit Intervention Risk
Obama's seven years in office have seen the United States try to disentangle itself from wars in the Muslim world and pivot toward the growing economies of Asia.
Europe, with its historic links to America, has often seemed to be an afterthought.
But sovereign debt crises, jihadist terror attacks and now Britain's potential exit from the EU have thrust the continent back onto Obama's agenda.
But for the US president, wading in is not without risk.
Pro-Brexit supporters include popular London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy" for his comments in favour of Britain staying in the bloc.
"I just think it's paradoxical that the United States, which wouldn't dream of allowing the slightest infringement on its own sovereignty, should be lecturing other countries," New York-born Johnson said on Tuesday.
More than 100 members of Britain's parliament have reportedly written to the US ambassador in London to make their displeasure known.
Even before Obama touched down, Britain's anti-EU crowd was clamouring to cast him as a meddling outsider.
It could be a potent argument in a country that shares cultural affinities with the United States, but which is deeply wary of being treated as Washington's lapdog.
During Obama's visit he and the first lady will also have dinner today with Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince William, his wife Kate and his brother Prince Harry.
From Britain he will travel to Germany for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other EU leaders.
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