Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, formally begin a four-day state visit to the UK
They took part in a procession down the Mall to Buckingham Palace
Thousands of supporters greeted him, but so too did protesters angry at China's human rights record
President Xi addressed MPs and peers in Parliament's Royal Gallery
A State Banquet will be held on Tuesday evening at Buckingham Palace
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
The government is under pressure to intervene in the steel industry on the very day David Cameron is rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese president. He now has to have a very awkward conversation about the alleged "dumping" of Chinese steel in the UK which has prompted these job losses.
Here's a well-taken photo of President Xi in good spirits with the Queen inside the Diamond Jubilee stage coach as it passed down the Mall.
Image source, PAAnd here's a shot of the carriage in all its glory.
Image source, PA
Over in the House of Commons, Labour has asked an urgent question on the trouble in the British steel industry. Shadow business minister Kevin Brennan told MPs that "while the Chinese president is riding down the Mall in a gilded state coach, British workers are being laid off because our government's not standing up for them".
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Talon Li, a Chinese finance student at Greenwich University, was one of those watching Xi Jinping pass down the Mall.
He said he had arrived at 5.30 this morning with some classmates to welcome Xi and support closer ties between the two countries.
Quote MessageIt's great UK and China will really help each other. They should stay friends. Every British and Chinese person can be friends.''
Now they've arrived at Buckingham Palace, the first thing on the order of business will be for the president and his wife to have some lunch.
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Image source, ReutersThe guard of honour was comprised of 96 rank-and-file men and three officers from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Maj Benjamin Jesty, captain of the guard of honour, marched forward and presented his men giving the order in Mandarin.
His exact words were: "The Guard of Honour of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards is present, formed up and ready for your inspection, sir."
The major has apparently been practising his Mandarin for a number of weeks.
Image source, MoDAs we devote our attention to the more ceremonial matters, our colleagues over in Westminster have been digesting Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond's remarks this morning on China. In a nutshell - we shouldn't fear China's intentions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK comes at an interesting time for Sino-British relations.
Traditionally, the two nations have had a difficult relationship but China's extreme wealth could be bringing them closer, as BBC Chinese Service reporter Vincent Ni explains in this two-minute primer on China-UK relations.
Image source, MoDThe Diamond Jubilee state coach, carrying Xi Jinping and the Queen, carries on its journey towards Buckingham Palace, its gold trim shining in the abundant sunshine. It's accompanied by ranks of troops dressed in their finery.
Image source, PAHere's the moment Chinese President Xi Jinping met Queen Elizabeth II a short time ago.
The carriage carrying Xi Jinping is making its way down a very noisy Mall, with crowds cheering, whistles blowing and cymbals crashing as he passes by.
To the tune of God Save The Queen, the various Royal carriages leave Horse Guards Parade to head off down the Mall, in a fair bit of autumnal sunshine.
The Queen takes her seat alongside President Xi. Upon their arrival at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty will invite the president and his wife to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery, of items from the Royal collection relating to China.
The very fancy Diamond Jubilee state coach has arrived at Horse Guards Parade, ready to take the Royal party and the Chinese first couple down the Mall, to Buckingham Palace for a spot of lunch.
President Xi is taken on an inspection of the Guard of Honour by Prince Philip.
Smoke is rising above Green Park thanks to all the ceremonial guns going off. Wonder what the ducks make of it all.
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