Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrived in Pretoria on November 10 for an official visit to the country ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which starts in Durban on Friday.

The queen was greeted with a 21-gun salute in her honor from cannons parked 400 meters from her in front of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, his wife Zanele and almost the entire Cabinet welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

After greeting ministers and other dignitaries, Queen Elizabeth returned to the steps to listen to the South African national anthem.

The royals will have lunch with the Mbekis at their Pretoria residence, Oliver Tambo House.