As daughters of the president of the United States, Malia and Sasha Obama are more than used to being in the company of high profile guests and celebrities - and will take many precious memories with them when their dad finally finishes his presidency later this year. But Thursday will hold an extra special place in their hearts - as the night the pair attended their first ever state banquet.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMalia Obama, 17, attended her first state dinner and was sat next to actress Sandra Oh
Barack and Michelle Obama's girls attended their first state dinner in honour of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau on Thursday night - and received a special mention from the prime minister during his speech.
The 44-year-old son of late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said it was touching to meet Malia, 17, and Sasha, 14, and said he wished he had been a teenager when his dad was a world leader.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSasha, 14, was sat next to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
"The memories for me of being a kid and not being old enough to attend these kinds of events with my father almost makes me wish I had gone through my teenage years as the child of a world leader," he said. "Almost."
"I admire you very much, both of you, for your extraordinary strength and your grace," Justin added. He also hoped that the unconventional childhoods they had experienced would, he said, give them "strength and wisdom beyond your years for the rest of your life".
© Photo: Getty ImagesCanadian Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were picture perfect
Malia, who will graduate from high school in June, was seated at a table in the elegant East Room with her aunt, President Obama's sister and her husband and Grey's Anatomy actress Sandra Oh. Sasha, on the other hnad, was in the company of actress Blake Lively and her Canadian actor husband Ryan Reynolds.
Other guests included actors Michael J. Fox, Mike Myers, along with Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. Professional sports were represented by the U.S. hockey and basketball commissioners, along with retired NBA player Grant Hill and his wife, Tamia, a Canadian singer.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMichelle Obama and Justin Trudeau's wife, Sophie, both wore dresses by Canadian designers
For the special ocassion, Michelle Obama once again pulled out all the stops and dazzled in a Jason Wu strapless midnight blue floral jacquard gown with asymmetrical draping. Taiwan-born Wu was raised in Canada. Justin Trudeau's wife wowed in a bright purple dress with coral flower trim by Canadian designer Lucian Matis.
