Kuwaiti Emir al-Sabah begins UK state visit

The Queen has welcomed the Emir of Kuwait to the UK for a three-day state visit.

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah is staying at Windsor Castle, where a state banquet will be held on Tuesday.

Sheikh Sabah, 83, will have a private audience with the Prince of Wales, and meet British industry leaders at an event hosted by the Duke of York.

He will also hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. It is the first state visit from Kuwait for 17 years.

The emir inspected a guard of honour in the quadrangle

Sheikh Sabah was greeted by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles in the centre of Windsor near one of the town's two stations as well-wishers looked on.

They then returned to the castle in a carriage, with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment providing an escort.

He was given a full ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards forming a guard of honour in the quadrangle.

Among the emir's delegation are his finance, foreign and commerce ministers.

During his stay he will also visit the Sandhurst military academy, which has a tradition of training the ruling classes of Gulf states including Kuwait.

Sheikh Sabah became emir in January 2006, although he had been running Kuwait's day-to-day affairs for years. He became prime minister in 2003.