Barack and Michelle Obama returned to the White House on Wednesday and unveiled their official portraits, which will adorn the walls of the executive mansion. 

'Barack and Michelle, welcome home!' President Joe Biden said at the event in the East Room.  'It's good to see you again, mom,' Biden added, speaking to Michelle Obama's Marian Robinson, who was seated in the front row.    Biden, who served as Obama's vice president, spoke about how he still counted on his former boss now that he had his job. Turning to Michelle Obama, Biden whispered: 'He couldn't have done it without you.'  

The event marks the return of a Washington tradition last held 10 years ago.

'It is great to be back,' Obama said once he and Michelle Obama lifted the coverings showcasing the paintings by artists Robert McCurdy, who painted Barack, and Sharon Sprung, who did Michelle's portrait. 

The Obamas brought a number of family, friends, former Cabinet members and top staffers from his administration to the White House for the occasion. But daughters Sasha and Malia won't be there, CNN reports.   The portraits that will be unveiled Wednesday will different from the ones  in the National Portrait Gallery, which were revealed in February 2018 and are part of the Smithsonian Museum collection. Wednesday's paintings will be part of the White House collection and will join the large, formal portraits of other presidents and first ladies that hang on the walls, in the hallways and in various rooms throughout the White House. Traditionally, the two latest presidential portraits are placed in the Cross Hall of the White House: George W. Bush's and Bill Clinton's hang there now. Trump moved them when he was in office but Biden put them back. However, with the new Obama portrait, Clinton's will likely be relocated. 

It is customary for a president to host his predecessor and their spouse for the unveiling of the portraits.

But President Donald Trump notably didn't host the Obamas, given the hostility felt between the two men. Trump accused Obama of spying on his presidential campaign. Obama made fun of Trump during a speech at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association dinner. 

The organization is in the 'beginning stages' of the portrait processes for former President Trump and former first lady Melania Trump, McLaurin told CNN.

'There's focus on specific artists that will likely be doing their portraits,' he noted. 

Obama hosted former president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, for their portrait unveilings in 2012 during Obama's first term. Now Obama will be hosted by his former vice president. The Obamas and Bidens became close during Obama's presidency, going through the ups and downs of their political and personal lives, including the death of Biden's son, Beau, from cancer.

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