The Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Lunch of 2013.

The most interesting lunch in the political world took place Monday at the White House, though officials said the chat between President Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton was more personal than professional.

The president and his former secretary of state “have developed not just a strong working relationship, but also a genuine friendship,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

“So,” he added, “it’s largely friendship that’s on the agenda for the lunch today.”

Obama invited the former rival-turned-top-aide to a private lunch that took place on an outside patio near the Oval Office.