4. The President performs an important role as the host of the dinner, greeting all of his guests to the historic building and ensuring nobody is overlooked
Before the formal start of the dinner, an intimate reception is held in the Yellow Oval Room for those that will be seated at the head table. Following this, the president and the visiting head of state descend the Grand Staircase, accompanied by a rendition of “Hail America” as part of the Presidential Entrance March. Arriving guests are proclaimed individually by an announcer, whereupon they are directed to the Blue Room to be greeted personally by the two heads of state. Brief pleasantries are exchanged, before the guests are ushered into the State Dining Room to be seated.
In 2009, during a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, three gatecrashers managed to gain access to the White House. All three, despite not being appearing on the guest list, were allowed to enter and were introduced to Obama and Singh. Enjoying a full evening of entertainment, their appearance was only noticed by Secret Service after they bragged about it on social media. Once all the guests are seated, both the American president and his guest of honor deliver reciprocal toasts to both each other and their nations. The press is then removed from the room and dinner is served privately.
