Queen greeted at White House

2007-05-07 19:04

Queen Elizabeth II and President Bush stand at attention during an official state arrival ceremony for the queen on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (J Scott Applewhite, AP)

Washington - A 21-gun salute marked the arrival on Monday of Queen Elizabeth II at the White House, where she stood with US President George Bush during the playing of the two countries' national anthems.

Dressed in a white jacket with black scalloped collar and cuffs and a black and white hat, the queen was greeted by an estimated 7 000 people gathered on the White House lawn for the occasion.

The ceremony kicked off Queen Elizabeth's official state visit to the United States, where she arrived last week to commemorate the founding of the first British colony in America 400 years ago, in Jamestown, Virginia.

This evening, the White House is giving its first white tie dinner since Bush became president in 2001 for the queen.

Strict dress code for the informal Texan president and American officials includes tails and broad white collars for the men and long dresses for the ladies. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA