This Article is From Oct 28, 2009

Queen Elizabeth welcomes Prathibha Patil

London: President Pratibha Patil officially began her state visit in Britain with a spectacular ceremonial welcome by the Queen at the 900 year old Windsor Castle.

Strains of the Indian national anthem echoed through the ancient walls of Windsor castle with the tricolour fluttering on the streets of the town that stands 40 kilometres from London as the English Queen welcomed President Pratibha Patil and her husband with a grand line up of guards and a 21 gun salute.

President Patil set off the day's proceedings by inspecting a guard of honour by the First Battalion of the Irish Guards.

Led by the Mounted Band of the Blues and Royals - a military band on horseback, there was a march past of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

There was no dearth of spectacle, colour and ceremony as President Patil became the first non royal female head of state to be hosted by the Queen in the beautiful setting of Windsor Castle. Prince Charles is also scheduled to meet her. This is in sharp contrast with the visit of the Chinese President a few years ago which he boycotted.

Earlier Prince Charles and his wife met the President on her arrival and escorted her to the castle. The scale of the welcome a clear sign of the growing importance Britain accords to India.

While the President enjoys the royal family's hospitality she will also meet the British Prime Minister and leaders of opposition to talk about the growing bilateral trade and issues like climate change.
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