Saudi State Visit begins

Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II has today welcomed the King of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom at a ceremony in Horse Guards Parade.

The Saudi King was officially welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II at Horse Guards Parade in London, having arrived yesterday at Heathrow Airport. Shortly after arriving at Horse Guards, the King accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, inspected the Guard of Honour.

Later, the Saudi King and the royal party joined by the Prince of Wales made their way up to mall to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession for a private lunch before viewing an exhibition of Saudi items from the Royal Collection in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition includes some pieces of jewellery, photographs and some gifts that have been presented to Queen Elizabeth II over the years by Saudi royalty.

Queen Elizabeth II is due to host a State banquet in honour of the King at Buckingham Palace later this evening.

The Saudi King’s full title is: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and has been King of Saudi Arabia since the death of his half-brother King Fahd in August 2005.

The King is set for talks with the Prince of Wales at Clarence House tomorrow as well as official talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at No.10 Downing Street.