Michelle Obama has been spotted looking unenthusiastic while visiting Sydney with husband Barack as the city is caught in a wave of Obama-mania.
The former First Lady and ex-President touched down in Australia’s most populated city on Sunday night by private jet, before embarking on a host of appearances.
The couple on Monday were seen dining at luxurious restaurant Bathers’ Pavilion at Balmoral, on Sydney’s northern beaches, for lunch.
However, Mrs Obama appeared unimpressed – or perhaps tired from the long haul flight – in images captured outside the pricey dining spot.
Michelle Obama was spotted looking unimpressed outside fine-dining restaurant Bathers’ Pavilion, in Balmoral on Sydney’s north shore, on Monday
The couple were flanked by a large entourage of security guards
Mr and Mrs Obama arrived in Sydney via a private jet on Sunday
The US President appeared in good spirits while dining at Bathers’ Pavilion
A six-course degustation menu matched with premium wines at the restaurant costs $300 per person and includes pink snapper sashimi and handmade fettucine.
A witness said the couple were dining in a room where the curtains were closed to the outside world.
The security presence for the former president as he was escorted back to his motorcade was so considerable one onlooker compared it to a ‘small army’.
Mr Obama spent a whirlwind 24 hours in Sydney – his motorcade roaring over the Harbour Bridge earlier in the morning for a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
He started the morning, first being greeted by John F. Kennedy’s daughter and US ambassador Caroline Kennedy at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Mr Albanese then hosted Mr Obama at Kirribilli House.
The pair were all smiles as they posed together for the camera by the harbour while holding black umbrellas amidst the drizzle.
Barack Obama has met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the former US President arrived in Sydney
The president, along with his wife Michelle, flew into Sydney via a private jet on Sunday night
‘Honoured to welcome President @barackobama to Sydney,’ Mr Albanese wrote in a post to Twitter.
Mr Obama later went for a walk along the cliffs at North Head – as more than a dozen police cars and a dozen police motorbikes waited by the road nearby.
The president and his wife are in the country for his ‘An Evening with President Obama’ speaking tour, which will be kick off at the Aware Super Theatre on Tuesday night, with the cheapest tickets $395-per-head.
He will then jet down to Melbourne for another appearance at John Cain Arena on Wednesday.
The president will speak about leadership and global challenges with former Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, who will also moderate the event.
Mr Obama is pictured with the US Ambassador to Australia and John F Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, outside a Sydney hotel on Monday
More than a dozen police cars and a dozen police motorbikes were on standby as the president went for a walk by Shelly Beach
Tour organiser Growth Faculty said in the event description that attendees would hear Mr Obama ‘discuss strength in leadership and explore techniques for navigating an unpredictable future’.
‘In times of great challenge and change, President Obama’s leadership ushered in a stronger economy, a more equal society, a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world,’ the description read.
‘There’s no leader better equipped to share their experience, unique strategy and wisdom on the changing face of leadership.’
Ticket prices range from $195 for a standard seat to $895 for a ‘platinum package’.
A platinum ticket includes priority seating, designated entrance, one hour pre-event cocktail party, a copy of Mr Obama’s book ‘A Promised Land’ and a commemorative lanyard and program.
The president and his wife were whisked away by a motorcade after they touched down in Sydney on Sunday
President Obama is in the country for his ‘An Evening with President Obama’ speaking tour, where he will talk about leadership and global challenges with former foreign minister Julie Bishop
President Obama’s last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014.
He also visited in November 2011, where he addressed a joint sitting of federal parliament in Canberra after he was invited by then=prime minister Julia Gillard.
In his speech, president Obama spoke about the importance of the asia-pacific region.
Mr Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017.