U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to the White House on Monday with a grand ceremony and 21-gun salute.

The welcome ceremony took place at the south lawn of the White House and as many as 7,000 guests, including Bush administration officials, members of Congress and diplomats, attended the ceremony.

On Monday evening, Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will host a state dinner in the queen's honor.

"The United States has no closer ally and friend than Great Britain," the White House said in a statement, adding that the two countries share "an exceptionally close relationship" based on historical and cultural ties, a common language and shared vales and interests.

This was the first visit to the United States by the British queen in 16 years