The British are very good at colourful pomp and pageantry, and that was demonstrated again yesterday as the Queen welcomed the visit by the Indian president.
The visit by President Pratibha Patil, India's first female Head of State since independence from Britain, was the first by an Indian president to Britain in 20 years.
The two Heads of State met at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, the world's largest inhabited castle.
A Guard of Honour comprised of the Ist Battalion Irish Guards with The Queen's Colour, with the Drums and Pipes of the Battalion and the band of the Regiment, gave a Royal Salute as the British National Anthem played.
Escorted by the Duke of Edinburgh, President Pratibha Patil was invited to inspect the waiting troops as her husband, Dr Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat.
After an indpection of the waiting troops, several hundred troops took part in a March Past led by the Mounted Band of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery March Past and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry Rank Past.
As a gift, the Queen gave the Indian president a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke and a copy of a drawing of New Dehli by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect who redesigned the city at the start of the 20th century.
Through the keyhole: Stunning pictures capture the pomp and splendour of Queen's banquet at Windsor Castle
By Rebecca English
28th October 2009
Daily Mail
British pomp and pageantry reigned yesterday as the Queen welcomed an Indian president to Britain for the first time in almost 20 years.
In the historic town of Windsor the two heads of state met, with the Royal Family putting on a display that left many in the visiting retinue breathless.
After travelling through the streets of the Royal Borough, which had been bedecked with the flags of India and the Union flag, in the Australian state coach, the party arrived in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
The Queen shows India's President Pratibha Patil Indian items from the Royal collection. Patil is the first Indian woman elected to the ceremonial role
A royal welcome: The march past including members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry in the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday
As they entered, a Guard of Honour comprised of the Ist Battalion Irish Guards with The Queen's Colour, with the Drums and Pipes of the Battalion and the band of the Regiment, gave a Royal Salute as the British National Anthem played.
Escorted by the Duke of Edinburgh, President Pratibha Patil - India's first female head of state since independence - was invited to inspect the waiting troops as her husband, Dr Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, and the Queen looked on from a nearby dais.
The diminutive Asian leader, who wore a sari and cream coloured overcoat, was dwarfed by the guardsmen as she inspected the troops lined up in two rows.
India's President Pratibha Patil inspects the guard of honour during the welcoming ceremony
Horses pull the Queen's carriage with India's President Pratibha Patil on board as it approaches Windsor Castle ahead of a State Banquet in her honour
Looking down from the cannonade on the castle's Round Tower, the view was nothing short of spectacular as, at the end of the inspection, several hundred troops took part in a March Past led by the Mounted Band of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery March Past and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry Rank Past.
Afterwards the party moved through the Sovereign's Entrance and inside the castle for a private lunch, after which the Queen and the Duke exchanged gifts with their guests in the ornate Crimson Drawing Room.
Main: Selle d'Agneau Pre-sale Arlesienne (lamb with rosemary and thyme)
Side dishes:
Courgettes Farcies (stuffed courgettes)
Carottes Glacees (glazed carrots)
Pommes Fondantes (fondant potatoes)
Wines:
Meursault les Clous, Patrick Javillier 2000
Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe 1988
Chateau Doisy-Daene, Barsac 2001
Royal Vintage Port 1963
The Monarch giving the foreign head of state a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke and a copy of a drawing of New Dehli by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect who redesigned the city at the start of the 20th century.
The president's husband received a large oval carriage clock.
One of Windsor Castle's staff puts the final delicate touches to the lavish dinner table ahead of the State Banquet
Guests mingle before taking their seats in the spectacular setting of St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle
The Queen and Prince Charles raise their glasses in a toast, accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, during the State Banquet
In return the Monarch was presented with a pashmina shawl and a Khasmiri silk carpet that took two artisans 18 months to weave, while the Duke was given a three-piece silver tea set.
Afterwards, the party moved to the equally opulent White Drawing Room where they pored over a selection of Indian themed items from the royal library and archives.
The foursome were shown objects that related to Queen Victoria, India's declaration of independence in 1947, Philip's 1959 trip to the Asian country and a return visit the royal made with the Queen two years later - the Monarch's first.
Highlights included Victoria's diary that showed her efforts to write in Hindustani following lessons in the language from her Indian servant Abdul Karim.
Also on display in Windsor Castle's green drawing room was a shawl woven from yarn spun by Gandhi which was a wedding gift for the Queen who married in 1947.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also joined the party to inspect the many documents, photographs and pictures that showed the Monarchy's association with India over the centuries.
Later in the evening, the Queen held a magnificent white-tie state banquet for her visitors in the castle's St George's Hall, where guests included Conservative leader David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, and author JK Rowling.
The menu included halibut, salted saddle of lamb and stuffed courgettes with mango ice cream, washed down by Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe 1988.
Dr Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, left, pictured with Queen Elizabeth, Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prince Philip at a state banquet
dailymail.co.uk
The visit by President Pratibha Patil, India's first female Head of State since independence from Britain, was the first by an Indian president to Britain in 20 years.
The two Heads of State met at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, the world's largest inhabited castle.
A Guard of Honour comprised of the Ist Battalion Irish Guards with The Queen's Colour, with the Drums and Pipes of the Battalion and the band of the Regiment, gave a Royal Salute as the British National Anthem played.
Escorted by the Duke of Edinburgh, President Pratibha Patil was invited to inspect the waiting troops as her husband, Dr Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat.
After an indpection of the waiting troops, several hundred troops took part in a March Past led by the Mounted Band of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery March Past and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry Rank Past.
As a gift, the Queen gave the Indian president a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke and a copy of a drawing of New Dehli by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect who redesigned the city at the start of the 20th century.
Through the keyhole: Stunning pictures capture the pomp and splendour of Queen's banquet at Windsor Castle
By Rebecca English
28th October 2009
Daily Mail
British pomp and pageantry reigned yesterday as the Queen welcomed an Indian president to Britain for the first time in almost 20 years.
In the historic town of Windsor the two heads of state met, with the Royal Family putting on a display that left many in the visiting retinue breathless.
After travelling through the streets of the Royal Borough, which had been bedecked with the flags of India and the Union flag, in the Australian state coach, the party arrived in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
The Queen shows India's President Pratibha Patil Indian items from the Royal collection. Patil is the first Indian woman elected to the ceremonial role
A royal welcome: The march past including members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry in the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday
As they entered, a Guard of Honour comprised of the Ist Battalion Irish Guards with The Queen's Colour, with the Drums and Pipes of the Battalion and the band of the Regiment, gave a Royal Salute as the British National Anthem played.
Escorted by the Duke of Edinburgh, President Pratibha Patil - India's first female head of state since independence - was invited to inspect the waiting troops as her husband, Dr Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, and the Queen looked on from a nearby dais.
The diminutive Asian leader, who wore a sari and cream coloured overcoat, was dwarfed by the guardsmen as she inspected the troops lined up in two rows.
India's President Pratibha Patil inspects the guard of honour during the welcoming ceremony
Horses pull the Queen's carriage with India's President Pratibha Patil on board as it approaches Windsor Castle ahead of a State Banquet in her honour
Looking down from the cannonade on the castle's Round Tower, the view was nothing short of spectacular as, at the end of the inspection, several hundred troops took part in a March Past led by the Mounted Band of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery March Past and the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry Rank Past.
Afterwards the party moved through the Sovereign's Entrance and inside the castle for a private lunch, after which the Queen and the Duke exchanged gifts with their guests in the ornate Crimson Drawing Room.
Menu
Starter: Delice de Fletan aux Herbes (Halibut with herbs)Main: Selle d'Agneau Pre-sale Arlesienne (lamb with rosemary and thyme)
Side dishes:
Courgettes Farcies (stuffed courgettes)
Carottes Glacees (glazed carrots)
Pommes Fondantes (fondant potatoes)
Wines:
Meursault les Clous, Patrick Javillier 2000
Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe 1988
Chateau Doisy-Daene, Barsac 2001
Royal Vintage Port 1963
The Monarch giving the foreign head of state a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke and a copy of a drawing of New Dehli by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect who redesigned the city at the start of the 20th century.
The president's husband received a large oval carriage clock.
One of Windsor Castle's staff puts the final delicate touches to the lavish dinner table ahead of the State Banquet
Guests mingle before taking their seats in the spectacular setting of St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle
The Queen and Prince Charles raise their glasses in a toast, accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, during the State Banquet
In return the Monarch was presented with a pashmina shawl and a Khasmiri silk carpet that took two artisans 18 months to weave, while the Duke was given a three-piece silver tea set.
Afterwards, the party moved to the equally opulent White Drawing Room where they pored over a selection of Indian themed items from the royal library and archives.
The foursome were shown objects that related to Queen Victoria, India's declaration of independence in 1947, Philip's 1959 trip to the Asian country and a return visit the royal made with the Queen two years later - the Monarch's first.
Highlights included Victoria's diary that showed her efforts to write in Hindustani following lessons in the language from her Indian servant Abdul Karim.
Also on display in Windsor Castle's green drawing room was a shawl woven from yarn spun by Gandhi which was a wedding gift for the Queen who married in 1947.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also joined the party to inspect the many documents, photographs and pictures that showed the Monarchy's association with India over the centuries.
Later in the evening, the Queen held a magnificent white-tie state banquet for her visitors in the castle's St George's Hall, where guests included Conservative leader David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, and author JK Rowling.
The menu included halibut, salted saddle of lamb and stuffed courgettes with mango ice cream, washed down by Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St Estephe 1988.
Dr Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, left, pictured with Queen Elizabeth, Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prince Philip at a state banquet
The State visit by the Indian president came just days after yet another gaffe by Prince Philip at a 400-strong Buckingham Palace reception for British Indians.
As guests lined up to meet him and the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, 88, looked at the name badge of businessman Atul Patel and said: 'There's a lot of your family in tonight.'
A spokesman for Mr Patel, who heads housing agency the LHA-Asra group, confirmed the conversation took place, but said the 47-year-old executive took it as a joke.
The spokesman added: 'Absolutely no offence was taken at all by Atul. It was taken in a very light-hearted way.'
dailymail.co.uk