It was a glitzy affair attended by not just political and corporate bigwigs, but also actress Keri Russell and actor Matthew Rhys, as well as Amy Tan, author of best-selling novel Joy Luck Club.
The state dinner, honouring 50 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Singapore, began with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee arriving in a black limousine at the North Portico of the White House, where they were received by US President Barack Obama and Mrs Michelle Obama.
The men wore black tuxedos while the women were a picture of elegance – Mrs Lee in a gold and red kebaya matched with a red shawl, and Mrs Obama in a strapless ivory-coloured dress by Brandon Maxwell, singer Lady Gaga’s fashion director.
As the Marine Corps band struck up a tune, the two couples descended the grand staircase of the White House, pausing briefly at the foot of the stairs for official photographs before heading off to dinner.
AFP, The Straits Times, Reuters, Facebook / Lee Hsien Loong, Instagram/ @leehsienloong, Instagram/ @whitehouse
Close to 200 guests packed the East Room where dinner was held and which was decorated with yellow orchids and roses, a symbol of the friendship between the US and Singapore.
Flickering candles and a large spray of flowers adorned a feature wall, forming a grand backdrop for the head table, where PM Lee and Mrs Lee were seated.
Much attention was paid to detail as the yellow flower motif was used throughout the room, from the pattern of the table cloth to the projected lighting design on the ceiling.
Midway through dinner, violinists entered the room and played the tune of popular Malay folk song Di Tanjong Katong, prompting many to whip out their cameras to capture the moment. Among them was Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung, who posted the video on his Instagram account.
Mr Lee’s Facebook page also offered a 360-degree look at the state dinner, just as he was raising a toast and the cameras were clicking incessantly.
More musical entertainment rounded up the night as the guests filed into the State Dining Room, where chairs were tightly packed.
Mr and Mrs Lee had front-row seats as American singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele opened her segment with the song Be OK.
As guests bobbed to the music, the 16th president of the US, Abraham Lincoln, observed the proceedings from his portrait on the wall. Touching his chin in what must have been conceived as a pensive posture, he looked quizzically at the immaculately dressed guests gathered before him, before the evening drew to a close.
This article was first published on Aug 04, 2016.
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