Queen Elizabeth II visits White House

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has praised the partnership between the UK and the U.S. during a speech at a White House banquet. Her Majesty was guest of honour at the dinner, hosted by President Bush and his wife, Laura.

The Queen, who has reigned in Britain for over half a century, said that the Atlantic must unite Europe and America rather than divide them.

On the eve of VE Day celebrations in Europe and the U.S., the Queen added that the very survival of Britain was bound up in the wartime alliance of Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.

The Queen is expected to visit the National WW2 Memorial in Washington DC later on Tuesday, where she will honour the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict.