Show me where the Queen lives, Obama asks Brown

London, July 28 : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had to take on a new job recently - that of being a V.I.P. tour guide to presumptive US Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama.

As soon as he arrived in London and met Brown, Obama asked every tourist's favourite question: "Can you show me where the Queen lives?"

The request prompted Brown to act as a VIP tour guide for the U.S. senator, reports The Mirror.

However, alarmed American and British secret service officials curtailed their walkabout after astonished tourists came to close to dignitaries outside Buckingham Palace.

During his visit to London, Obama had a breakfast meeting with former Premier Tony Blair at his five-star hotel behind Oxford Street and two hours of talks with Brown at 10, Downing Street.

Before his London visit, he also travelled to Berlin, Iraq, Israel and Afghanistan.

Earlier, Obama told Brown that architecture and famous landmarks around Downing Street fascinated him.

As the pair strolled in the high-walled rose garden behind No 10, he asked Brown to show him the home of the Royal Family. To the surprise of his officials, Brown led Obama through a side exit from Downing Street.

The PM stood on Horse Guards' Parade and pointed across St James' Park and told Obama: "That's Buckingham Palace, over there."

Obama and Brown then strolled towards the park for a closer look at the palace.

But panicky U.S. security men swiftly intervened and steered the two leaders away from a growing crowd of astonished onlookers.

Obama said: "We took a walk out back and I was hoping to keep going all the way through the park, but our respective secret service security details pulled us back."

ANI