London [US], March 19: King Charles on Wednesday welcomed the Nigerian president to Windsor at the start of the first state visit to the United Kingdom by the West African nation in nearly 40 years.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, first lady Oluremi Tinubu, were met by Charles and Camilla in the warm spring sunshine, after being escorted to a red-carpeted dais outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station by William and Kate.
Green and white Nigerian flags lined the streets, alongside Union flags, and a celebratory oversized Royal Standard was flying from the top of Windsor Castle's Round Tower.
The monarch greeted the president with a broad smile and handshake and pointed out the Household Cavalry soldiers on show opposite the dais.
More than 1,000 troops were out in force for the diplomatic show of soft power by the royal family.
The occasion is taking place amid the international backdrop of the deepening conflict in the Middle East, with Thames Valley Police saying extensive security measures were being deployed in Windsor. It is also the first state visit the King has staged since his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of sharing confidential reports with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as the ongoing scandal continues.
Source: Qatar Tribune
