G20: JK Rowling is a hit with Obamas

Published on Thursday 2 April 2009 22:18

HARRY Potter creator JK Rowling joined some of the world's leading ladies yesterday for entertainment while their husbands took part in summit talks.

The bestselling Edinburgh author read excerpts from her newest novel, The Tales Of Beedle The Bard, to wives and partners of the G20 leaders as part of entertainment in Covent Garden's Royal Opera House.

The women arrived in a rainbow of colourful outfits in the morning, each personally greeted by the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, who embraced each guest as she welcomed them to London.

Rowling was also one of the guests at a Downing Street dinner on Wednesday night, where she proved a hit with the politicians.

After the separate dinners for G20 leaders and their wives were over, the US president, Barack Obama, made a beeline for Rowling, telling her he is a big fan of her Harry Potter books.

An onlooker revealed: "He asked for her autograph and told her he had read all the Harry Potter books to his daughter, Malia, so counted himself a big fan of hers. Joanne was clearly very flattered."

The Obamas stayed for coffee until nearly 11pm and made time to thank No 10 staff who had helped at the dinner, with Mrs Obama hugging female aides.

The Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes sat next to Mrs Obama at the dinner, giving her tips to help Chicago's bid for the 2016 Games.

Actress Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, was the comic hit of the party, revealing to laughter that she initially threw away her invitation after seeing the date on it and assuming it was an April Fool's joke.

Speaking on GMTV yesterday, Dame Kelly said that the First Lady was "really warm, open and honest''.