A beaming French President Nicolas Sarkozy, flanked by his wife Carla Bruni, was greeted with pomp by Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday for the first French state visit in more than a decade.
A modest crowd gathered on the streets of Windsor to welcome France’s glamorous first couple, whose visit comes weeks after they married following a high-profile, whirlwind romance.
Sarkozy’s UK visit
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni arrive at London's Heathrow airport. Mr Sarkozy vowed to open a new chapter in ties with Britain as he began a state visit which he hopes will also help repair his image at home as a statesman
Britain's Prince Charles, accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, greets Ms Bruni by kissing her hand on her arrival in London
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Mr Sarkozy and his wife at Windsor Castle for the first state visit to Britain by a French president in 12 years. The former fashion model born in Italy smiled politely and, in a move that might raise eyebrows in Republican France, curtsied as she shook hands with the Queen
As a band played and flags were waved, the French couple and the Queen and Prince Philip were taken into the grounds of Windsor Castle in horse-drawn carriages, where they inspected a parade of marching royal guardsmen
Mr Sarkozy keeps an eye on his wife as Ms Bruni and Prince Philip share a joke during the ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle
Mr Sarkozy,who speaks little English, and Queen Elizabeth, who is fluent in French, en route to Windsor Castle. The visit comes at a crucial time for Mr Sarkozy, who is battling accusations at home that he is a "bling bling" president more concerned with a flashy lifestyle than getting a grip on the French economy and other weighty issues
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Windsor to welcome France's glamorous first couple, whose visit comes weeks after they married following a high-profile, whirlwind romance. Most eyes and cameras were on Ms Bruni, whom Mr Sarkozy married just four months after he divorced his second wife Cecilia
Mr Sarkozy and Ms Bruni leave Westminster Abbey having left a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a ritual performed by many visiting heads of state
Mr Sarkozy addresses members of both houses of parliament in Westminster. He said he will offer to boost France's military presence in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and al-Qaeda
Mr Sarkozy is applauded by Ms Bruni after addressing members of both houses of parliament in London
Queen Elizabeth II and President Nicolas Sarkozy at a State Banquet in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle. Two centuries since their troops last fought on the battlefield, France and Britain had forged the "strongest ties, perhaps tinged with suspicion but always marked by a great deal of mutual admiration and affection", Mr Sarkozy told the 148 guests
Queen Elizabeth II and Carla Bruni flanked by President Sarkozy and the Duke of Edinburgh.The Queen wore the sash and star of the Légion d'Honneur. Madame Sarkozy wore a chiffon evening gown by Christian Dior
Queen Elizabeth II leads her guests to the Banqueting Hall. Earlier she made Mr Sarkozy an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order ot the Bath, a title she has bestowed on other world leaders
Queen Elizabeth II seated next to President Sarkozy at the state banquet at Windsor castle. The menu included Noisettes d' Agneau Brehan and Rhubarb tart
In a speech the Queen hailed the "respectful yet competitive relationship" between Britain and France. "What is different is to be celebrated, and what is similar should be embraced" The seating arrangement had been carefully planned with the Duke if Edinburgh placed between Madame Sarkozy and Rachida Dati, the French justice minister, on his left. Mr Sarkozy sat between the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall, while Madame Sarkozy's mother, Marisa Borini-Tedeschi, was seated next to the Queen's cousin Prince Michael of Kent
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to President Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni at Windsor castle before Mr Sarkozy travels to Downing Street for talks with prime minister Gordon Brown
President Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni with prime minister Gordon Brown on the steps of 10 Downing Street. After talks Mr Brown said the two leaders agreed "We need Britain and France at the heart of Europe, a global Europe, that is reforming, open, flexible, outward-looking and retains a strong social dimension"
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Arsenal Football Club manager, Arsene Wenger and Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the Emirates Stadium in North London. Speaking to reporters on the pitch ahead of formal talks, Mr Brown announced a joint British-Franco initiative to help to bring education to 16m children in Africa. The ground - seen as the home of French football in Britain given the number of Gallic names in the Arsenal squad - was chosen to give a fresher edge to the pageantry that accompanied Nicolas Sarkozy's first state visit to Britain
President Sarkozy on the pitch at Arsenal's Emirates stadium. He also met members of Arsenal's youth team who greeted the French President in his native tongue
