In pictures: White House state dinners over the years
- Published
The tables are set at the White House for Tuesday's state dinner honouring French President Francois Hollande. On the menu are dry-aged rib eye beef and American caviar, accompanied by wine from across the US.
In France, news of Mr Hollande's recent split from long-time partner Valerie Trierweiler has overshadowed the trip, which celebrates the lasting alliance between the US and France. This will only be Mr Obama's seventh state dinner since he took office in 2009, and his first since 2011.
Previous presidents held state dinners with more regularity. President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's were famous for their glamour. In May 1962, they played host to President Felix Houphuet-Boigny of the Ivory Coast.
President Ronald Reagan held 35 state dinners during his eight years in the White House. On 9 November 1985, he and Nancy Reagan welcomed Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
State dinners are a chance for world leaders to mingle with the stars. Mr Reagan invited John Travolta, shown here dancing with Princess Diana in 1985.
The evenings typically start with a receiving line at which guests greet the president. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton held a state dinner for Ghana's President Jerry John Rawling in 1999.
The two leaders traditionally share a toast. Mr Clinton hosted 23 state dinners, including one for Chinese President Jiang Zemin in October 1997.
At a 1995 dinner for German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the entertainment included a sing-along with the Washington Saengerbund German chorus.
At Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's state dinner in 2008, he and President George W Bush watched a performance from the musical Jersey Boys.
Mr Obama's first state dinner honoured Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009. His choice of India was supposed to represent his foreign policy pivot to Asia, analysts say. Later, it was revealed that two Virginia socialites crashed the party, somehow bypassing the Secret Service.
Most recently, the Obamas hosted UK PM David Cameron - technically not a state dinner, as Mr Cameron is not the British head of state. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff cancelled a planned dinner at the White House after it was revealed US spies had tapped her phone.
Mr Hollande will not be the first to go stag to a state dinner. In 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao came to the White House without his wife.