His big day was modelled on Lincoln’s but Honest Abe never saw an inauguration night quite like this. The new President was serenaded by Beyoncé, boogied while Stevie Wonder belted out Signed, Sealed, Delivered and even sauntered on stage before a crowd of Hawaiians to declare in a southside Chicago drawl: “Aloha, what’s goin’ on?”

Even some diehard Republicans admitted to being dazzled when they watched Barack Obama and his wife Michelle dance their way across Washington on Tuesday night, as the couple put their own stamp of black cool on the ten official balls. Indeed, the 44th President confirmed his status as perhaps the hippest world leader, declaring “Hit it, band!” at the Youth Inaugural Ball.

The President, in white tie, and the First Lady, in a shimmering gown, slow-danced together with Mr Obama often planting kisses on her cheek.

“First of all, how good-looking is my wife?” Mr Obama declared when they emerged to wild applause at the first event — the Neighbourhood Ball. As Beyoncé began crooning the Etta James classic At Last the Obamas began a slow two-step. There was the odd awkward moment: Mr Obama stepped on the hem of his wife’s dress, reminding guests that the President’s wife has teased him in the past about his dancing skills. Still, the crowd was so thrilled that he only had to lead her into a half twirl to trigger whoops and cheers.

At the Commander-in-Chief Ball the First Lady danced with Marine Sergeant Elidio Guillen, who was shorter than the 5ft 11in (1.8m) Mrs Obama, and her husband led Army Sergeant Margaret H. Herrera — who cried in his arms.

He told the troops attending, including some on a video feed in Afghanistan: “Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers today, every day, for ever. Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, the work begins . . . Together, I am confident we will write the next great chapter in America’s history.”

For their Secret Service detail the balls, which were spread across Washington and began shortly after 8.30pm and ended for the Obamas in the early hours, were a logistical headache.

At the Southern Ball Mr Obama introduced his wife as “the love of my life” and at the Midwest Ball he joked that it was “time to dance with the one who brung me, who does everything that I do except backwards and in heels”.

The inaugural balls are infamous for the bad food and Tuesday night was no exception: cold pasta, cheese cubes and wine at $9 (£6.50) a glass. Those lucky enough to get tickets were not going for the food, however — just a chance to spend a few minutes in the same room as the Obamas.

Their daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, stayed at home in the White House with some friends from their new school. After a scavenger hunt organised by staff and two Disney Movies — High School Musical 3 and Bolt — they opened a door to discover their favourite boy band: the Jonas Brothers.

In an interview just before the inauguration the Obamas talked about their plans to try to protect their daughters and keep them grounded.

“They so far at least have such poise, such equanimity and nothing seems to faze them,” Mr Obama said. “I am concerned about, as they go into their teenage years, how they deal with the scrutiny. And so, part of my hope is that the press give them room.

“Kids are out of bounds. Everybody should understand that. That will be the one thing that will get me, as a father, real riled up if I start seeing people not respecting them.”

The Obamas, speaking to CBS, also discussed how they hope to keep the new President’s feet on the ground. Mr Obama said that his wife “always keeps me straight. She really, I think, can keep me honest”. Mrs Obama added: “That’s what he counts on me to do. I’ll be right there every step of the way. And so will Malia and Sasha.”

Mr Obama was asked about his mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, moving into the White House with them and was reminded that it had the elements of a sitcom.

“My mother-in-law and I get along great. In fact, she defends me when Michelle is too hard on me. So I want her. She’s an ally,” he said.

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