Camerons praised as parents by Obama at White House state dinner Samantha and David Cameron with Michelle and Barack Obama at the White House state dinner. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Barack Obama has paid public tribute to David and Samantha Cameron for the way in which they cared for their severely disabled eldest son who died in 2009 at the age of six. In his speech at a black tie state dinner in honour of the Camerons at the White House, the president said the couple had displayed a "measure of strength" as parents. The president said: "David: all of us have seen how you, as a parent, along with Samantha, have shown a measure of strength that few of us will ever know. Tonight I thank you for bringing that same strength and solidarity to our partnership. The prime minister and his wife often found themselves sitting up through the night in hospitals if Ivan, who had cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, suffered a seizure. Cameron said that he and his wife felt as if they had been hit by a "freight train" when they were told two weeks after Ivan's birth in April 2002 that he had Ohtahara syndrome, a neurological disorder. Ivan died at the age of six in February 2009. In his response to Obama's speech, the prime minister thanked the president and his wife for the support they offered. "As fellow parents Barack and Michelle have both been personally very kind to Sam and me," he said. And as fellow leaders we've struck up, I believe, a really good partnership. The president's reference to Ivan provided a moment of reflection during the formal state dinner where the White House celebrated the Anglo-American special relationship. Leading figures from the world of politics, arts and designs from both sides of the Atlantic heard the two leaders say the special relationship has never been stronger. The Obamas and Camerons were joined at the top table in a marquee on the South Lawn of the White House by, among others, George Clooney, Warren Buffett and Damian Lewis. Samantha Cameron, who almost stole the show by patting her husband on the bottom during the formal welcoming ceremony earlier in the day, wore an Alessandra Rich dress on loan from the British based designer. Hers shoes were from Next. The prime minister paid warm tribute to Obama as a cautious leader. In a thinly veiled reference to George Bush he said that Obama did not "pick fights." The prime minister said: "The first president I studied at school was Theodore Roosevelt. He talked of speaking softly and carrying a big stick. That is Barack's approach. And in following it he has pressed the reset button on the moral authority of the entire free world. Wisdom, because Barack has not rushed into picking fights, but is steward of America's resources of hard and soft power. He's taken time to make considered decisions, drawing down troops from Iraq and surging in Afghanistan. He's found a new voice for America with the Arab people. The two leaders gushed about the strength of the special relationship. But Cameron admitted there are often bumps, as he recalled Edward Heath's troubled relationship with Richard Nixon. For every genuine presidential-prime ministerial friendship, there have been some - I think we could call them - total disconnects. Edward Heath and Richard Nixon took personal awkwardness with each other to new and excruciating levels. Obama paid tribute to Cameron for showing steadiness over Libya. In all of our interactions - including today - I've learned something about David. In good times and in bad he's just the kind of partner that you want at your side. I trust him. He says what he does, and he does what he says. And I've seen his character. And I've seen his commitment to human dignity, during Libya. I've seen his resolve, his determination to get the job done, whether it's righting our economies or succeeding in Afghanistan. Obama picked the R&B star John Legend as the US musical act for the evening. Downing Street, possibly on the advice of Samantha Cameron, chose the English folk rock band Mumford and Sons. Theme: Winter Harvest First course: Brussels sprouts, applewood smoked bacon Second course: Spring garden lettuce, shallot dressing, shaved breakfast radish, cucumber and avocado Main course: Bison Wellington, red wine reduction, French beans, Cipollini onion Dessert: Warm Meyer lemon steamed pPudding with Idaho huckleberry sauce and Newtown Pippin apples American wines served with each course