Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has hailed the US as Britain's ‘most important ally’ as she renewed the bonds of friendship with US President Barack Obama at a state banquet in his honour.
The monarch said the historic relationship was ‘tried, tested and yes - special’ and that the two nations together contributed to security and prosperity of the world.
‘I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the United States and the United Kingdom stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the world will be more secure and more prosperous,’ the Queen said on the first day of the US leader's first state visit to the UK.
The three-day stay comes at a time of close co-operation between Britain and the US on Libya, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the Middle East peace process.
Around 170 guests including the First Lady Michelle Obama, the Duke of Edinburgh, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha listened to the Queen's address in the grand Buckingham Palace ballroom.
Actors Tom Hanks and Kevin Spacey, actress Helena Bonham-Carter and her director husband Tim Burton added some Hollywood glitz to the VIPs attending the lavish white tie dinner.
Former British prime ministers John Major, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair with wife Cherie were also invited, but the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who earlier met the Obamas, were not there.
Queen Elizabeth said: ‘Today the United States remains our most important ally and our two nations contribute to the security and prosperity of our peoples, and of the world, through shared national interests.
‘But our relationship goes far beyond our military and diplomatic ties.’
She spoke of the shared values such as honesty, hard work and loyalty and patriotism and praised America for its help during the two world wars.
Raising a toast to the President and Mrs Obama, she added: ‘We are here to celebrate the tried, tested and - yes - special relationship between our two countries.’
The Obamas are staying as guests of the Queen at the palace.
In a joint article written for The Times by Mr Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron declared: 'Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.'
Mr Obama travelled to London from Dublin last night due to fears that the volcanic ash cloud could disrupt his original flight plans this morning.
Yesterday, in an inspirational speech at College Green in Dublin, the US president said: 'This little country that inspired the biggest things - your best days are still ahead of you.'
The Obamas had a private meeting with President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Mr Obama also held talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny. They discussed a range of issues, including Ireland's deficit problems and US planes stopping at Shannon.
The US president said the bond and relationship between the two countries could not be stronger. He said 'we will do everything to help' Ireland in its economic recovery.
The US visitors also spent time in Mr Obama's ancestral home town of Moneygall, Co Offaly.
Distance from Queen regrettable - Shatter
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence has told the Dáil that it was regrettable that people were largely limited to watching Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland on television because threats from criminal terrorists and thugs made it necessary to seal off a number of streets.
Alan Shatter also thanked An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces for their Trojan work and professionalism during both the Queen and President Obama's visits.
And he praised them for their professional responses to a multiplicity of hoax bomb threats in the past week.
