London - Michelle Obama brought style and glamour to London Wednesday during a day of engagements set to be crowned with a reception by Queen Elizabeth II in London later Wednesday.

Morning walkers, commuters and schoolchildren lined the streets in the British capital Wednesday to catch a glimpse of the US First Lady as office workers took photo snaps from windows.

US President Barack Obama and his wife, who arrived in Britain late Tuesday, were driven to Downing Street in the President's armour-plated limousine for a breakfast meeting in Downing Street, the seat of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Looking relaxed and smiling, the US first couple posed for photographs in bright sunshine before Obama and Brown went in for talks, while Michelle Obama and Sarah Brown left to visit a cancer care centre.

The US president's wife looked stunning in classic pearls, a light green pencil skirt and cream sparkly cardigan by American high street favourite J. Crew, described as a "very ordinary" US designer by a fashion commentator.

On their "charm offensive" in Europe, the US presidential couple were keenly aware that the "right symbols" had to be set in the present subdued economic climate, said the commentator.

"Michelle Obama practically shimmered in the early morning sunlight," said the Daily Mail.

Sarah Brown, looked equally elegant in a navy blue dress. The two women first met during Brown's visit to Washington last month where they exchanged fashionable clothes as presents.

As the two first ladies arrived at the cancer unit of Charing Cross hospital, patients were hanging out of windows as onlookers gathered at the hospital gate, taking photographs.

"She is a lovely lady, she can talk to anyone," said one woman, who had brought along her two young sons to catch a glimpse of the US First Lady.

At the Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, they visited male and female cancer patients. The US First Lady, introducing herself simply as "Michelle," nodded as she listened to their stories.

The two women attended a "Look Good, Feel Better" session for female patients, prompting Michelle Obama to refer to her "wonderful" make up artist.

Michelle Obama was asked about the White House garden and mentioned that it was going to have a bee hive. "We have a big lawn," she told a woman patient, laughing.

Sarah Brown poured the tea as the two first ladies sat around a table with patients and staff, eating sponge cake with chocolate frosting.

"This is pretty amazing. It's an oasis. An oasis that is necessary for people who are struggling," said Michelle Obama. "It's a quiet place that makes people feel whole."