Pomp as Amir begins state visit to Britain – Sheikh Sabah gets royal welcome from Queen Elizabeth

WINDSOR: HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II stand together during a welcoming ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday as the Amir began his state visit to Britain yesterday. (Inset top) Queen Elizabeth is followed by Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (left) and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, as she talks to Sheikh Sabah after his arrival. (Inset below) Sheikh Sabah and Queen Elizabeth look at a gold sword that was presented to the Queen by Kuwait for her coronation in 1953 in the Green Room at Windsor Castle. — AP/AFP

WINDSOR, United Kingdom: Queen Elizabeth II welcomed HH the Amir of Kuwait to Britain yesterday with a gilded carriage ride at the start of a three-day state visit. The trip, aimed at cementing the strong relations between London and its Gulf ally, kicked off with a traditional display of ceremonial pomp in Windsor, west of London. Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, accompanied Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad al-Sabah to the town, where he was met by Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip before a glittering state procession and a guard of honour. The queen arrived in a carriage procession with an escort provided by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment dressed in breastplates and plumed helmets.

Sheikh Sabah later decorated the Queen with the prestigious Mubarak Al-Kabir Medal, while the Queen decorated the Amir with The Most Honourable Order of Bath. They also exchanged official gifts and toured an exhibition of Kuwaiti items from the Royal Collection. It is the first state visit from Kuwait to Britain since 1995. Today, the Amir will have a private audience with Charles, attend a meeting with British industry leaders hosted by the queen’s second son Prince Andrew and hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. Sheikh Sabah is accompanied on the trip by his finance, foreign and commerce ministers. – Agencies

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