Isn't it funny what money and oil can buy?

Hmmm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7068616.stm

Having said that, most countries tend to be hypocrites when looking out for their national interests...

Very true JK

That said, I very much doubt Her Maj had any say in the matter whatsoever. The ceremonial greeting will have been arranged by the FO and palace flunkeys. The Queen, as we know, can't and won't become personally involved, or comment on things like this.

Aye.

The fact we'll be building some Destroyers for the Saudis is another factor in this visit.

i'd guess the government would do well to not mention Zimbabwe or Afghanistan for a few months....

Thing is, however grim you might think Saudi Arabia and the House of Saud to be, it's being propped up by the west because if it were to fall, you wouldn't be talking about a new democracy in the middle east, but a violent, extreme theocracy - and one with control of much of the world's oil reserves.

Yes, we might have to hold our noses when dealing with them, but without them the world would be a hell of a lot more lethally dangerous than it is even now.

On Tuesday evening, the Queen will host a state banquet attended by more than 170 people, in which both she and the king will make speeches.

The prime minister will be there, accompanied by wife Sarah, and dressed in white tie and tails.

Mr Brown declined to wear the official uniform of coat tails and white bow tie at the Mansion House dinner in June, but for this event his spokesman said he would "abide by the dress code".

Will the Queen and King Abdallah be similarly attired?