US first lady Michelle Obama has told pupils at a girls’ school in east London that they inspire her every day and claimed that the world needs more people like them.
In an emotional speech at Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets on Tuesday, Obama said she saw similarities in her upbringing with her audience and told them that as young women they had to have an interest in politics.
The first lady is in the UK to discuss her charity work, including the Let Girls Learn initiative, which is aimed at improving education for girls.
During her trip to the capital, Obama also visited prime minister David Cameron in Downing Street and had tea with Prince Harry in Kensington Palace.
Addressing a hall full of students earlier, the 51-year-old said: "I imagine some of you are wondering, why would the first lady come to Tower Hamlets? Why would she choose this community and school?"
"The answer is simple. I am here because of you. Because girls like you inspire me and impress me every single day. I am so proud of your passion and your diligence, your grit your determination.
"When I look at all these young women I see myself. In so many ways, your story is my story."
Obama told the pupils that with an education they had every chance to “rise above the noise and fulfil their dreams”.
Most of the pupils at Mulberry School are from the Bangladeshi community, the BBC reported.
And Obama acknowledged some of the challenges the girls may face. "Maybe you read the news and hear what folks are saying about your religion," she said, "and you wonder if anyone ever sees beyond your headscarf."
But, she told them: “The world needs more girls like you to lead our parliaments, our boardrooms, and our universities. We need you for tackling the problems of climate change, poverty, and disadvantage.”
Earlier, Obama, her daughters, Malia, 16, and Sasha, 14, and her mother, Marian Robinson, met Prince Harry in Kensington Palace.
The palace said on Twitter that the prince was "very pleased" to host the family for tea, and that he and Obama discussed their shared interested in support for veterans and their families.
The first lady and her family later met with the prime minister and his wife at Downing Street.
Obama's two-day visit to the UK coincided with the announcement of a £130 million ($200 million) joint US–UK effort aimed at improving girls' education around the globe, The Guardian reported.
The first lady is due to fly to Italy next to meet US military families based in Europe.