The Queen has delivered a strong defense of the special relationship between Britain and the U.S.

At a White House banquet, she said "the lesson of my lifetime" had been that the partnership "was always to be reckoned with" in defending freedom.

"Administrations in your country and governments in mine may come and go, but talk we will, listen we have to, disagree from time to time we may, but united we must always remain," she said.

Bush also spoke of co-operation between the countries and said "friendships remain strong when they are continually renewed". "Together we're confronting global challenges such as poverty and disease and terrorism. And together we're working to build a world in which more people can enjoy prosperity and security and peace."

The president said the UK had "written many of the greatest chapters in the history of human freedom".

He said its relationship with the U.S. was built "on the surest foundations - our deep and abiding love of liberty".

In Virginia, the Queen extended her sympathies to those affected by the shootings at Virginia Tech last month. (Source: BBC)