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Queen to greet Zuma on UK visit Queen welcomes Zuma on UK visit
(about 8 hours later)
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will formally greet South African President Jacob Zuma at the start of his three-day state visit to the UK later. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have formally greeted South African President Jacob Zuma at the start of his three-day state visit to the UK.
The monarch will be joined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and senior military and political figures for the ceremonial greeting in Whitehall. Mr Zuma received a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade and reviewed a guard of honour with Prince Philip.
Mr Zuma and Prince Philip will review a guard of honour at Horse Guards Parade. Mr Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, then joined a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.
Mr Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, will then join a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace. Gordon Brown missed Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to take part in the welcoming ceremony.
Mr Brown will miss Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to take part in the welcoming ceremony. South African and British officials will be hoping the trip is not overshadowed by the recent controversy at home over President Zuma's private life The BBC's Peter Biles class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8545789.stm">Zuma presidency under scrutiny class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/can_jacob_zumas_state_visit_im.html">Send us your comments
He will hold talks with Mr Zuma on Thursday when the continuing political turmoil in Zimbabwe is expected to be high on the agenda, along with climate change and the global economy. The Queen rode in a lavishly-decorated Australian State coach with the president, while Mrs Zuma was joined by the Duke in a Scottish State coach.
South African and British officials will be hoping the trip is not overshadowed by the recent controversy at home over President Zuma's private life The BBC's Peter Biles class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8545789.stm">Zuma presidency under scrutiny Dignitaries including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall also joined the procession.
Other senior figures introduced to the presidential couple included Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Home Secretary Alan Johnson, while Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, head of the Armed Forces, led the senior military officers.
Political talks
ANALYSIS BBC's Mike Wooldridge, Buckingham Palace
President Jacob Zuma and the newest of his three current wives, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, entered the gates of Buckingham Palace amid all the pomp and splendour of the carriage procession that marks the formal start of state visits.
Onlookers lined the Mall despite the stiff breeze.
But if the traditional rituals of such visits are being observed, President Zuma's visit is also distinctive in various ways - not least because tomorrow he will be taking a penalty at Wembley Stadium.
It is symbolic, of course, but will undoubtedly bring yet more attention to South Africa's hosting of this year's World Cup.
In return he will be given a presentation on England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. With the Olympic park in east London on President Zuma's itinerary too, sport looks set to play a bigger part in this state visit than perhaps any other.
Gordon Brown will hold talks with Mr Zuma on Thursday when the continuing political turmoil in Zimbabwe is expected to be high on the agenda, along with climate change and the global economy.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss the football World Cup, which South Africa is hosting this summer and England hopes to host in 2018.The two leaders are also expected to discuss the football World Cup, which South Africa is hosting this summer and England hopes to host in 2018.
BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles said Mr Zuma - a polygamist who has married at least five times - is renowned for his charm and informality. BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Zuma - a polygamist who has married at least five times - is renowned for his charm and informality.
However, the president felt a public backlash recently after acknowledging he had fathered a child, his 20th, with the daughter of one of South Africa's leading football officials.However, the president felt a public backlash recently after acknowledging he had fathered a child, his 20th, with the daughter of one of South Africa's leading football officials.
Mr Zuma has previously faced corruption charges and has been acquitted of a rape charge.Mr Zuma has previously faced corruption charges and has been acquitted of a rape charge.
During his trip, the president will visit the former home of anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo in Muswell Hill, north London on Wednesday. State banquet
Political meetings During his trip, the president will visit the former home of anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo in Muswell Hill, north London.
He will also meet Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, at Buckingham Palace. Mr Zuma and his wife are in Britain until Friday
He will also lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Mr Zuma is also expected to meet Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen is hosting a state banquet for the South African guests in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Wednesday evening.The Queen is hosting a state banquet for the South African guests in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday the presidential couple will visit the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.On Thursday the presidential couple will visit the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.
Later that evening Mr Zuma will give a speech during a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.Later that evening Mr Zuma will give a speech during a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.
On Friday, the final day of the visit, Mr Zuma will formally say goodbye to the Queen before visiting the Prince of Wales at Clarence House.On Friday, the final day of the visit, Mr Zuma will formally say goodbye to the Queen before visiting the Prince of Wales at Clarence House.