In an extensive and at times gushing interview, the First Lady talks about her young children’s schooling and her desire to open up the White House to a new generation of hip-hop-loving youngsters.

Much of the interview centres on the Obamas’ two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. “I’m going to try to take them to school every morning as much as I can,” Mrs Obama says. The two girls attend Sidwell Friends, a Washington private school that costs more than $28,000 annually for each child. “But there’s also a measure of independence. And obviously there will be times I won’t be able to drop them off at all. I like to be a presence in my kids’ school. I want to know the teachers; I want to know the other parents.”

Although Vogue has photographed every First Lady since Lou Hoover in 1929 — except for Harry Truman’s wife, Bess — Mrs Obama is only the second to have graced the cover. The first was Hillary Clinton, in December 1998. Seventeen black women have appeared on the cover of American Vogue before Mrs Obama, including Naomi Campbell, Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry. One black man has been given the honour: LeBron James, the basketball player.