The Queen welcomes Jacob Zuma

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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh led the nation in welcoming Jacob Zuma, after the South African President risked sparking a diplomatic row describing the British as condescending imperialists.

The statesman and his wife kicked off their three-day state visit to Britain with the Horse Guards Parade in London's Whitehall.

The two heads of state met on a dais decorated with the national colours of South Africa and watched by Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, and the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Amongst the other senior figures introduced to the presidential couple were Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Home Secretary Alan Johnson. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup - head of the Armed Forces - led the senior military officers.

Downing Street declined to comment on reports that Mr Zuma had accused the British of looking down on South Africans.

In an interview with South Africa's Independent newspaper group shortly before he flew to the UK, Mr Zuma said: "When the British came to our country they said everything we did was barbaric, was wrong, inferior in whatever way.

"Bear in mind that I'm a freedom fighter and I fought to free myself, also for my culture to be respected.

"And I don't know why they are continuing thinking that their culture is more superior than others, those who might have said so.

"I am very clear on these issues, I've not looked down upon any culture of anyone, and no one has been given an authority to judge others.

"The British have done that before, as they colonised us, and they continue to do this, and it's an unfortunate thing."

It is understood Mr Zuma's comments came in response to discussion in the UK media of his polygamous lifestyle.

Asked for the Prime Minister's response to the comment, Mr Brown's spokesman said only: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming the head of state of South Africa.

Mr Zuma, 67, married his third wife Thobeka Madiba, 36, a former bank clerk, in January and she was chosen to accompany him on the visit to Britain.

After South Africa's famous national anthem - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika - was played by the Band of the Grenadier Guards the Duke escorted the president to inspect 101 men of Nijmegen Company of the Grenadier Guards.

The Duke and President walked briskly past the servicemen before returning to the dais where the Queen, dressed in a striking violet Stewart Parvin coat with gold coloured buttons and matching hat, waited to take her guests to Buckingham Palace.

The procession along the Mall by the Monarch and the presidential couple was a glittering affair as they were accompanied by a mounted Sovereign's Escort provided by the Household Cavalry's Life Guards and Blues and Royals.

The Queen rode in the lavishly decorated Australian State coach with the president while Mrs Zuma, who had been smiling throughout the ceremony, was joined by the Duke in the Scottish State coach.

The other dignitaries including Charles and Camilla, senior members of the Royal Household and senior figures from Mr Zuma's party followed behind in a series of Landau carriages.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7360079/The-Queen-welcomes-Jacob-Zuma-after-his-barbaric-Africans-comments.html