British Roll Out the Red Carpet for Mandela
Riding in a horse-drawn carriage before thousands of cheering Britons, Nelson Mandela received a hero’s welcome Tuesday as he began the first state visit to Britain by a South African president.
More than 6,000 people packed the Horse Guards parade ground to see Mandela, 78. Royal gun salutes boomed across the capital.
Mandela stepped slowly from a limousine to be greeted by Queen Elizabeth II, her husband, Prince Philip, Prime Minister John Major and Cabinet ministers.
Before departing for Buckingham Palace, where he and his daughter will stay during the four-day visit, Mandela inspected an honor guard while a military band played South Africa’s anthem.
The queen and Mandela then rode away in an open carriage.
Mandela plans to meet this week with Major, other political leaders and business executives. Britain is South Africa’s largest foreign investor and one of its largest trading partners.
The president will also address a joint session of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
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