The Queen paid tribute to the 'special relationship' between the United Kingdom and the United States of America in an address to US President George Bush at a State Banquet held in his honour.
"Like all special friends, we can talk frankly and we can disagree from time to time - even sometimes fall out over a particular issue. But the depth and breadth of our partnership means that there is always so much we are doing together, at all levels, that disputes can be quickly overcome and forgiven."
President Bush in turn celebrated the relationship in his reply, recalling the two nations' wartime and peacetime collaborations.
"The bonds between our countries were formed in hard experience. We have passed through great adversity together. We have risen to great challenges together. The mutual respect and fellowship between our countries is deep and strong and permanent."
The speeches were made at the start of the banquet held in the ornate Ballroom of Buckingham Palace. On the menu were consommé, halibut dressed with herbs, chicken flavoured with basil and served with Savoy cabbage, roast potatoes and salad, followed by vanilla praline and coffee ice cream.
Those present included members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister Tony Blair, members of the Government, political leaders of the Opposition, Church leaders, diplomats and prominent American dignitaries.
Earlier in the day, President Bush and his wife Laura were given a ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. During the ceremony, a 41-gun salute was fired from nearby Green Park, and the American national anthem was played. The last time The Star-Spangled Banner was played on the Palace forecourt was after September 11. Afterwards, the President and The Duke of Edinburgh inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Following the welcome at Buckingham Palace, President Bush and his wife went on to Banqueting House, where the President delivered the key note speech of his visit. He declared: "America is fortunate to call this country our closest friend in the world."
President Bush began his visit on the evening of 18 November, arriving by Air Force One at Heathrow Airport. He was welcomed by The Prince of Wales. They flew on to Buckingham Palace in the presidential helicopter, Marine One, which landed in the Palace gardens.
The second full day of the visit was taken up with meetings at Downing Street, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and a visit to Westminster Abbey, where President Bush laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrrior.
Mrs. Bush spent the afternoon visiting the Royal Mews and an exhibition of Faberge items from the Royal Collection in The Queen's Gallery.
The President, Mrs. Bush and the American suite departed from Buckingham Palace on the morning of Friday, 21 November. Having said their farewells to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, the presidential helicopter Marine One departed from the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
This was the second State Visit of the year, following that of President Putin and Mrs Putina of the Russian Federation. Read a report on the Russian State Visit.
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