The US president, Mr George W Bush has been formally welcomed to the UK by the Queen amid tight security at Buckingham Palace.
Traditional British pomp and ceremony, including a 41-gun salute, was laid on for the start of the historic state visit.
The President and Mrs Bush stayed overnight at the palace before the official welcome ceremony.
After breakfast, they boarded a presidential motorcade to drive the 100 yards or so from the palatial Belgian Suite to the Palace forecourt.
There they were greeted by the Royals, who were also driven from the Palace to the ceremonial stand, Tony Blair, military top brass, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and civic dignitaries.
