During the final leg of a six-day state visit to the United States, Queen Elizabeth II was greeted by guests at a garden party at the British Embassy in Washington.

Among the many guests to meet the monarch was screen legend Mickey Rooney.

Others lined Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to Blair House to catch a glimpse of US President George W Bush and the Queen.

Prince Philip accompanied the Queen during the state visit, the first since 1991 when George Bush Snr was the American president.

After fluffing his lines in a speech at a welcoming ceremony, the president joked that the Queen had given him "a look that only a mother could give a child".

Ahead of a state banquet at the White House, the Queen was honoured with a 21-gun salute.

Guests at the dinner held in honour of the Queen and Prince Philip included Vice-President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Henry Kissinger.

They were served pea soup, Dover sole and a saddle of spring lamb followed by farmhouse cheeses.

It was the first banquet in Mr Bush's six-year presidency to demand a white tie dress code. The Queen wore a white Stewart Parvin fitted bodice, chiffon skirt and tiara.

She toasted the UK's friendship with the United States, defending the special relationship that was "always to be reckoned with" in the defence of freedom.

Mr Bush then spoke of co-operation between the countries, saying friendships remain strong when they are continually renewed.