Obama not invited to Chelsea's wedding

Published: 10:10AM Friday July 30, 2010 Source: AFP

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • Obama not invited to Chelsea's wedding (Source: Thinkstock)
    Source: Thinkstock

US President Barack Obama says he hasn't been invited to Chelsea Clinton's nuptials, reasoning the security footprint of two presidents at one wedding would have spoiled the event.

Chelsea Clinton, 30, is to marry investment banker Marc Mezvinksy, 32, outside a town in New York state this weekend, and tight security measures will be in place to protect her famous parents, Bill and Hillary Clinton.

"I am not going and I have to say, it would be tough enough having one president at a wedding, you don't want two presidents at a wedding," Obama said on the ABC daytime talk show "The View."

"I was not invited because I think that Hillary and Bill, properly, want to keep this as a thing for Chelsea and her soon-to-be husband," Obama said.

Obama, who waged a bitter Democratic primary struggle with Hillary Clinton for the party's 2008 presidential nomination, has established a close working relationship with his former rival, whom he made Secretary of State.

Earlier, the Federal Aviation Authority ordered the closure of airspace under 2,000 feet (610 meters) over the Astor Courts estate just outside Rhinebeck, where the wedding will take place.

The ban, termed "temporary flight restrictions for VIP (Very Important Person) Movement," runs from 3:00 pm Saturday, the day of the wedding, to 3:30 am Sunday.

The move is aimed at paparazzi photographers who routinely attempt to sneak exclusive pictures from the air of events being kept under heavy security.

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • more...

World News Video

Advertising

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    TVNZ is available on mobile phones: Text TVNZ to 8869.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.