Rice plays piano for the Queen

Updated 09.01 Tue Dec 02 2008
Keywords: Condoleezza, Rice, Buckingham, palace, Queen, piano, recital

Condoleezza Rice has given a piano recital for the Queen as part of her British farewell tour.

The US Secretary of State played Brahms and was joined by Louise Miliband, the wife of Foreign Secretary David Miliband, on violin, and three London Symphony Orchestra members.

The Secretary of State played Brahms and was joined by Louise Miliband, the wife of Foreign Secretary David Miliband, on violin, and three London Symphony Orchestra members

Her spokesman Sean McCormack said the royal recital was in a music room at Buckingham Palace and the Queen had presented a recording of the performance to Ms Rice afterwards.

"It was all organised by the British and just a very nice gesture as a farewell gift," he added.

Ms Rice, who is an accomplished pianist, has made several public music performances during her time in office.

Her visit in London is expected to be her last before President-elect Barack Obama takes office on January 20, 2009.

She will be replaced by former First Lady and New York Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

Ms Rice moves on to Brussels for a meeting of Nato foreign ministers and is then set to fly to New Delhi for meetings with Indian officials after last week's attacks in Mumbai.

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