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The Queen welcomes President Obama to Buckingham Palace
The Queen has greeted US President Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, at the start of his first UK state visit.
The Obamas also met Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and spent 20 minutes with newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.They are due to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
It comes after Mr Obama and David Cameron told of "essential" US-UK ties.
'Common interests' In a joint article in the Times, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron said of their countries' relationship: "Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.
"When the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous.
"The reason it thrives is because it advances our common interests and shared values. It is a perfect alignment of what we both need and what we both believe."
On Wednesday Mr Obama will meet Prime Minister David Cameron for talks.
Continue reading the main story 
Whenever a US president comes here there is always a slightly tortuous debate on whether or not the relationship is still special or not.
Both sides have decided the best way of avoiding that debate is to come up with a new wording entirely. They have a new adjective. It is now an essential relationship.
In a joint article for the Times newspaper, the prime minister and the president say the relationship between their countries was based originally on what they called emotional connections, sentiment and the ties of people and culture but now it thrives on common interests and shared values.
So what they are trying to focus on here now is more business-like pragmatism rather than any idea of appealing to the mythology of past historic links.
Analysis
Both sides have decided the best way of avoiding that debate is to come up with a new wording entirely. They have a new adjective. It is now an essential relationship.
In a joint article for the Times newspaper, the prime minister and the president say the relationship between their countries was based originally on what they called emotional connections, sentiment and the ties of people and culture but now it thrives on common interests and shared values.
So what they are trying to focus on here now is more business-like pragmatism rather than any idea of appealing to the mythology of past historic links.
The leaders are likely to focus on the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Libya.
In their article, they also vowed not to abandon the protesters fighting for democracy in Arab countries, writing that they would "stand with those who want to bring light into dark, support those who seek freedom in place of repression, aid those laying the building blocks of democracy."We will not stand by as their aspirations get crushed in a hail of bombs, bullets and mortar fire," said the two leaders.
"We are reluctant to use force, but when our interests and values come together, we know we have a responsibility to act."
Mr Obama arrived in the UK a day ahead of schedule on Monday, to avoid any disruption from a volcanic ash cloud.
The president flew into Stansted, in Essex, with wife Michelle after leaving the Republic of Ireland, where his week-long tour of Europe began.
He and his wife, Michelle, spent the night at US ambassador's residence Winfield House, in London's Regent's Park.
After he was welcomed there by Prince Charles and his wife, the president's cavalcade made its way to Buckingham Palace where he joined the Queen.
The Obamas were shown to the suite where they will be staying during the visit, and met Prince and Princess William before moving to the palace gardens.
There was a ceremonial welcome on the lawn of Buckingham Palace, where the president received a 41-gun salute and joined the Duke of Edinburgh to inspect a Guard of Honour.Continued
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