Barack Obama has laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey in London.

The President and his wife Michelle were greeted with cheers from a large crowd outside.

Earlier today they received a royal 41-gun salute at Buckingham Palace, to mark the start of their two-day state visit.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, says it was a great honour.

Dr Hall said: “We had the formal moment at the grave, and the choir sang. We wanted to shake hands with all the choristers, all the men in the choir as well. He was very assiduous about that. He was very relaxed, very friendly.

Dr Irwin Stelzer from the Hudson Institute in Washington says the political relationship between the US and UK is more important than ever.

He said: “You can see it in everything. The British are in Afghanistan shooting bullets. The Germans are there, but they don’t shoot at anybody. The British are the first port of call when we look to put together a coalition.”