Kuwaiti state visit in Windsor

Today was an important day in Windsor's calendar with the Queen hosting a state visit by the Amir of Kuwait. Ceremonies started at noon with a 21(?) gun salute followed by a procession of horse-drawn carriages through the town. I was stationed right at the end of the route at the Cambridge Gate at the top of the Long Walk. Given the wet and cold weather there were not many people watching, and it was possible to stand almost anywhere at the far end of the route. Afterwards I watched the soldiers and horses return to their barracks via the Long Walk.

For this occasion the Australian State Coach was used. It was only built in 1988 and was presented to the Queen to mark the Australian Bicentennial in that year. It is fitted with electric windows, hydraulic stabilisers and heaters, perfect on a cold, raw November day !

More photos of the state visit can be seen here.