Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed The President of the Republic of South Africa and Mrs Zuma on 3 March 2010 on Horse Guards Parade, at the beginning of their three day State Visit.

Guard of Honour was provided by Nijmegen Company of the Grenadier Guards, commanded by Major Rupert King-Evans.

Gun Salutes were fired as the President arrived from Green Park by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at Gun Wharf, The Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.

After the welcome ceremony, Her Majesty and her guests proceeded along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, escorted by a Sovereign's Escort with a double standard of The Household Cavalry.

Both the Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (the Blues and Royals RHG/D) rode on the Escort, with their Standards.

The Escort was commanded by Major N.K. Twumasi-Ankrah of The Blues and Royals and comprised 121 officers, men and their horses, divided into four divisions – two divisions of Life Guards and two of Blues and Royals.

No 7 Company of the Coldstream Guards and F Company of The Scots Guards provided street liners along the route.

Musical support was provided at the arrival ceremony on Horse Guards by the band of the Grenadier Guards directed by Major Kevin Roberts. The band of the Welsh Guards provided musical support at Buckingham Palace. And the bands of the Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards provided musical support at Marlborough Road and Duke of Yorks Step's respectively.

The Household Cavalry will provide staircase lining parties in Buckingham Palace today, and for the visit to the House of Lords tomorrow, 4 March. The Staircase Parties provide dismounted Household Cavalrymen to line the Staircases on arrival at Buckingham Palace, at the State Banquet and in the House of Lords. In total, 54 soldiers will be on parade

The Honourable Artillery Company will provide a Guard of Honour at the Guildhall Banquet tomorrow, 4 March. The State Trumpeters of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) will play fanfares during the reception and banquet.