President Jacob Zuma of South Africa completed a three day state visit to the United Kingdom last week, where he met with Queen Elizabeth II. The President and his third wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma touched down at Heathrow Airport on March 2, and were greeted by Viscount Brookborough, Lord-in waiting.

The following day, March 3, the cerimonial welcome took place on Horse Gaurds Parade. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh welcomed the South African President and First Lady, Accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, before Prince Phillip and President Zuma viewd the costamary gaurd of honour. A carriage procession along the Mall to Buckingham Palace followed, as did a private lunch.

After the lunch, the Queen took her visiteors for a veiwing of the exibition of South African items wich come from the Royal Collection. After completing the viewing, gifts were exchanged between the heads of state, and President Zuma left looking a little crestfallen as he learned the specifically -crafted Zulu and xhosa warriors chess set he presented to the Queen was not the only one in the collection. Former President Nelson Mendela presented a near identical set to the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit in 1996........Whoops..hahaha