Outgoing American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, often described as a concert-level pianist, played a farewell recital for the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Condoleezza Rice entertains the Queen at the Palace

She was accompanied by Louise Miliband, the wife of Foreign Secretary David Miliband, herself a violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra. They played Brahms with three other LSO members.

The Secretary of State apparently expressed a wish to play for the Queen before leaving office at the end of the Bush administration. She was invited to use the Monarch’s music room at the Palace.

Afterwards, the Queen presented Miss Rice with an audio recording of the recital as a gift.

Here’s a link to a short video of the occasion:

Link to Condi video