The Queen and Amir of Kuwait enjoy lavish Windsor Castle banquet

A lavish banquet was put on by the Queen at Windsor Castle for her visitors from the Gulf yesterday evening.

Those joining the royal families from the UK and Kuwait at the glittering bash included PM David Cameron, Sir Mervyn King and Sir John Major.

The Queen, dressed in a white satin lace Angela Kelly gown with Queen Victoria's Collet diamond necklace, led the Amir of Kuwait in a royal procession before the meal.

She gave a speech in which she said the relationship between the two nations 'runs deep' and in 'difficult times' the UK places 'great store by these enduring ties'.

The Amir, speaking in Arabic, said it was a 'rare privilege' to be invited to the historic and beautiful castle of Windsor and the Queen's record was 'without parallel' across the world.

Banquet guests tucked into a poached fillet of turbot with dauphinoise potatoes, followed by pistachio and chocolate gateau and wines including Ridgeview Knightsbridge Blanc de Blanc.

A pipe programme was also played by The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.