Motorcycle outriders, armoured Chevrolets and bullet-headed men in raincoats criss-crossed London yesterday as Michelle Obama and her daughters spent a second day on an unofficial visit to the capital.

The White House refused to disclose the First Lady’s itinerary but her progress could be tracked minute-by-minute as members of the public posted sightings on the social networking website Twitter.

Mrs Obama and her children, Malia and Sasha, were first spotted at Westminster Abbey shortly after 10.30am.

The three, who flew to Britain on Monday after accompanying President Obama on an official visit to France, were given a crash course in 1,000 years of English history during an hour-long private tour. The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, guided the Obamas and their entourage to the highlights of the Abbey, including Poets’ Corner, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the Coronation Chair and the Lady Chapel of Henry VII.

The abbey was closed to new arrivals, but tourists who were already inside were able to catch a glimpse of the President’s family. Judy Duvall, from Illinois, the Obamas’ home state, said that she recognised the First Lady immediately. “I couldn’t quite believe it,” she said. “One of the guys at the abbey had said we should wait against the wall because they were bringing someone in. I said we were from Illinois and he said we should recognise them, then.

“Right then I knew it was probably someone from our ‘royal family’. One of the girls was wearing a long yellow coat — she looked very striking.”

Mrs Obama protected herself from the caprice of British summer weather and wore two cardigans and a pair of trousers under a floral skirt.

The Obamas’ schedule for the rest of the day was unclear, but people posting sightings on Twitter suggested that they went on a shopping spree in Central London. Three people observed the Obama motorcade in Bloomsbury at about noon.

The cars were later spotted crossing New Bond Street. The user, who uses the name Lance—t, said that he believed “the girls are just doing a private tour and a little shopping”.

It was reported yesterday that the Obamas planned to visit Pinewood Studios, where the next Harry Potter film is being shot, but there was no sign of them there yesterday. Andrew Smith, the head of corporate affairs at the Buckinghamshire-based company, said: “We have not been approached by the White House, we haven’t even had a bobby here today.”

The Obama children, who began their 13-week summer vacation last week, sampled traditional British cuisine on Monday night when their mother took them to a pub in Mayfair. Staff at The Audley realised that they would be serving the American First Family when an entourage of about 15 people arrived to use the private dining room. The children shared a cheese platter and each had the fish supper (£7.95) while Mrs Obama chose a sirloin steak (£9.15). Cintia Pinto, 24, who served the party, said that the rest of the group ate burgers.

“We had a booking for a table of 15, but we had no idea it was going to be them,” she said. “We were all speechless when they walked in. I couldn’t believe it. But they were all very friendly, smiling and laughing. They made us feel calm. The girls were so sweet and polite. They thanked us every time we brought them something. It was a real honour.”

The family was later understood to have visited the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End to see The Lion King musical.

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