Brave Queen, 90, battles on with bloodshot eye to throw state banquet for Colombian president and help secure £1billion post-Brexit trade deal

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The Queen welcomed the President of Colombia to Britain yesterday with a lavish state banquet, despite sporting a severely bloodshot eye.

The 90-year-old monarch, who undertook a gruelling day of engagements including an official greeting on The Mall and lunch before the white-tie dinner, did not appear to be suffering any discomfort from the condition.

It's not the first time the Queen has appeared in public with a bloodshot eye. In 2006, on an official visit to Belfast, the monarch's right eye was completely bloodshot and so swollen that she could open it only halfway.

Buckingham Palace failed to respond to requests for a comment yesterday but sources who had been with the sovereign during the day said she had appeared ‘just fine’.

It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to announce a new oil and gas partnership with Colombia. Theresa May will host Mr Santos at Downing Street today, the second day of the three-day state visit. 

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The Queen welcomed the President of Colombia to Britain yesterday, despite sporting a severely bloodshot eye

The 90-year-old monarch, who undertook a gruelling day of engagements including an official greeting on The Mall and lunch before the white-tie dinner, did not appear to be suffering any discomfort from the condition

The Queen toasts Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos during a State banquet held in his honour at Buckingham Palace

Prince Philip, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, Juan Manuel Santos de Calderon and the Queen before the dinner

Guests stand at the state banquet held in honour of the Colombian president and his wife in the Buckingham Palace ballroom

The Queen thanked Mr Santos, pictured together, for bringing her some of his nation's 'world famous' coffee in a speech

Mrs May is expected to tell him that Colombia is one of Britain's most important partners in Latin America, with which the UK will aim to boost trade following withdrawal from the European Union.

The two leaders will announce a new double taxation agreement to help businesses and employees in both countries. The Prime Minister will announce £1 billion in UK export finance to encourage investment in healthcare and energy projects.

Mrs May is expected to say: 'As the UK prepares to leave the EU, I am determined that Britain should become the global champion of free trade, and that means boosting trade with fast-growing economies like Colombia.

'A peaceful, prosperous Colombia is in both our interests, and I look forward to working with President Santos to forge an even stronger partnership in the years ahead.'

Downing Street said that the UK has been Colombia's third largest foreign investor over the past decade, with a trading relationship worth £1 billion last year.

Bringing together the cities of Aberdeen and Barranquilla, the new oil and gas partnership will share best practice in areas like regulation, supply chain development and training.

Guests dined on a menu of Dover sole and pheasant

At last night’s glittering state banquet, guests including tennis star Jamie Murray – who has a Colombian wife, Alejandra – and Theresa May dined on Dover sole with Morecambe Bay shrimps in a light saffron cream, followed by pot-roasted Windsor estate pheasant with pickled cabbage, port and truffle jus, broccoli and potatoes. 

Resplendent in a gold gown, the Queen thanked President Juan Manuel Santos de Calderon for bringing her some of his nation's 'world famous' coffee, joking it 'should ensure that everyone is wide awake' at a business meeting later this week.  

Mr Santos was joined by his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, at the banquet, where he delivered a speech praising the 'genius' of Shakespeare, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

The 170 guests were entertained by the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra which played an eclectic mix of music including Coldplay's Viva La Vida and a song from War Horse, a personal favourite of the Queen.

The three-day state visit, the first to the UK by a Colombian president, comes at a pivotal moment in history as Mr Santos continues to work towards securing a peace deal for his country following five decades of civil war.

Toasting Mr Santos, the Queen compared the Colombian journey towards peace to the end of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Mr Santos helped broker an historic deal with Farc rebels which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Queen also praised Mr Santos' 'courage and and perseverance' as she paid tribute to his continued efforts in brokering a peace deal with the Farc rebel movement. 

Mr Santos, who is on a three-day state visit to Britain, said he was 'proud' to be allies with Britain in his speech at the dinner

The Queen also praised Mr Santos' 'courage and and perseverance' as she paid tribute to his continued peace efforts

Juan Manuel Santos de Calderon and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, were met by the royal couple

She said: 'The Colombian author Laura Restrepo once wrote, 'War or indifference; it's hard to know which is the hardest to fight' - a phrase which continues to ring true in this uncertain world. It is a reminder that the waging of peace is the hardest form of leadership of all, but also the most rewarding.

'Finding the balance between deeply-held opposing views, while never forgetting the needs of the disengaged, requires patience, resourcefulness and grit.

'Although you have faced recent setbacks, to have come to the cusp of a historic peace agreement, against the expectations of many, is a testament to your courage and perseverance, and that of the Colombian people.' 

The Queen went on to highlight the strong ties between the UK and Colombia. 

Her words were echoed by Mr Santos, who said he was 'proud' to be allies with the nation who 'gave humanity the genius of Shakespeare and Dickens; the science of Newton and Darwin; the political boldness of Churchill, and the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones'.

He added: 'And today we are also grateful for your constant and decisive support in the search of peace for Colombia, and in the upcoming challenging period of the post conflict, so as to ensure a stable and long-lasting peace, after half a century of war.' 

The President has been very appreciative of his trip so far, even offering the Duke of Edinburgh a thoughtful gift.

He presented Prince Philip with the 'baligrafo' - a pen made from a recycled bullet - after he and the first lady enjoyed a lunch at Buckingham Palace. It is seen as a symbol of Colombia's move towards peace. 

Bullet pens were used to sign a historic deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, although the accord was narrowly rejected by Colombians in a vote.

Mr Santos said the decision to use a bullet pen for the signatures showed Colombia's changeover from a country of bullets into a country of 'education and future'.  

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh (left) join Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos (right) and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos in looking at Colombian items from the Royal collection in the gallery of Buckingham Palace

The Queen smiles at the Colombian president as she accompanies the visiting dignitary through the palace gallery

The Queen and Prince Philip show the President and his wife around the exhibition staged in the Buckingham Palace gallery

Mr Santos was shown photos of the Queen meeting other Nobel Peace Prize winners over the years including Mother Teresa and Mr Carter. Pictured from left: Prince Philip, Maria, Her Majesty the Queen and Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos

The President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and his wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez are on a three-day tour to Britain

President Juan Manuel Santos and the First Lady of Colombia Maria Clemencia Rodriguez Munera pay a moment of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey in central London during their first ever official state visit to the UK

The President lays a wreath of flowers at the grave of the Unknown Warrior with services personnel during a visit to Westminster Abbey in central London

The Queen was presented with a silver filigree clutch purse.

Mr Santos is known to be a big fan of the wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen and Philip gave him a bound album of 'Churchilliana', including facsimiles and photographs from the Royal Archives relating to the politician. He also received their customary gift - a silver framed pair of photographs of his royal hosts.

Mrs Santos was presented with a jewellery box by the Queen's nephew, Viscount Linley. 

Among the other items on show in the Royal Collection exhibition was a Colombian pilot licence presented to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1962 during the first royal visit to the republic.

The Queen was entertained by the inclusion of a sombrero - given to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on their trip to Colombia in 2014, while Philip picked up a black and white photo of himself, the Queen and former US president Jimmy Carter in 1977 to closely examine it.

Mr Santos was shown photos of the Queen meeting other Nobel Peace Prize winners over the years including Mother Teresa and Mr Carter. 

The President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and his wife Maria arrived into Britain to be greeted by full pomp and pageantry today as the Queen pulled out all the stops to ensure his first ever state visit to the UK was a memorable affair

Juan Manuel Santos de Calderon and his wife Maria were formally welcomed by Her Majesty and Theresa May at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Pictured: Mrs May performs a curtsy for the Queen during the ceremonial welcome

Theresa May performs a curtsy for the Queen as she greets Her Majesty at the formal welcome at Horse Guards Parade

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos inspects an honour guard with Prince Philip during his ceremonial welcome today

The Queen and President Juan Manuel Santo left in a carriage procession for Buckingham Palace - travelling along The Mall

Union and Colombian flags line the Mall as the Queen and President Santos depart Horse Guards Parade this morning

Mr Santos also delivered a speech to both Houses of Parliament, saying his nation is ready to 'substantially increase' trade and investment in the UK once it reaches a deal with the EU. 

He also thanked the UK for ratifying Colombia's free trade agreement with the EU. His speech included a recognition of the role of the British Legions in helping liberate Colombia from Spanish rule in the 19th century.

But, drawing parallels with the Northern Ireland peace process, he focused mainly on the peace deal he brokered with left-wing Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels, which earned him a Nobel peace price. 

He said: 'We must build on existing foundations and identify new opportunities that will allow us to substantially increase our bilateral trade and investment.

'And I want to point out that during this state visit we are signing a treaty to prevent double taxation, which constitutes an additional advantage and provides greater legal security for British and Colombian investors.' 

Earlier, Mr and Mrs Santos arrived at Horse Guards Parade - Henry VIII's former jousting yard - by car after being greeted at their London hotel by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who visited Colombia in 2014.

Under grey skies, the Queen and Philip stood waiting to welcome the visitors with Mrs May, Ms Rudd and Mr Johnson, as well as military top brass and other leading figures.

On the parade ground the Guard of Honour, the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, formed in two lines with the Corps of Drums of the Battalion and the Band of the Regiment, under the command of Major Charles Starkey.

Following time-honoured tradition, Prince Philip led the visiting head of state to inspect the Guard of Honour.

President Santos walked past the lines of Guardsmen, glancing at the soldiers who, when not performing ceremonial duties, are active servicemen. The Duke walked a few paces behind the foreign leader, who strode ahead past the lines of troops in their grey greatcoats and famous bearskins.

Earlier, the Queen, who wore an ensemble by Angela Kelly - a green cashmere coat, silk crepe dress in shades of apple green, grey and gold lame, and matching hat - introduced Mr Santos and his wife to the Prime Minister and other VIP guests.

After the welcome ceremony ended, the Queen left in a carriage procession for Buckingham Palace.

Mr Santos and his wife will stay with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and will be entertained at a lavish state banquet this evening. 

Queen Elizabeth rides a carriage with Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos as they leave Horse Guards Parade at lunch

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen share a moment as they have their photograph taken with President Santos and Maria

Under grey skies, the Queen and Philip stood waiting to welcome the visitors with military top brass at Horse Guards Parade

Following time-honoured tradition, Prince Philip led the visiting head of state to inspect the Guard of Honour upon his arrival

The Queen - wearing a green cashmere coat, silk crepe dress in shades of apple green, grey and gold lame, and matching hat (left) greets Maria Clemencia de Santos at the ceremonial welcome for her and her husband President Juan Manuel Santos

The Queen met with military top brass before welcoming the President's wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos (right)

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall greets President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos and his wife Maria

It is the first time a state visit to the UK has been carried out by a Colombian president but the South American leader and his wife have met the Queen before - during a private audience in 2011.  

To mark the occasion of the state visit, the London Eye will be lit up in yellow, blue and red – the colours of the Colombian flag – tonight and tomorrow.  

The state visit, the first since Mrs May became Prime Minister, will also feature Downing Street talks.

Tomorrow, Mrs May will host the President at 10 Downing Street for a working lunch, and the President will also attend events at Mansion House, the Natural History Museum and the London School of Economics.

Juan Manuel Santos de Calderon and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, was formally welcomed by The Queen at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade, London. He and his wife are pictured leaving Stansted Airport yesterday

The President, who has been leading Colombia's peace process, will also meet with Theresa May, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Boris Johnson during the procession before enjoying at lavish dinner at Buckingham Palace with the Queen tonight

During his visit, the President - accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh - will inspect the Guard of Honour, before enjoying a state carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Pictured: The Queen during the ceremonial welcome today

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh prepare to welcome the President with Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Amber Judd

The Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May meet and greet dignitaries during the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (right) is greeted by the Queen during a ceremonial welcome to mark his first visit

The Queen greets Maria Clemencia de Santos as her husband Juan Manuel Santos looks on at today's ceremonial welcome

Boris Johnson will take the President on a private tour of the Cabinet War Rooms. 

Mr Johnson said: 'We are delighted to welcome President Santos to the UK. Britain works hand-in-hand with Colombia on the world stage whenever the occasion demands.

'We have an important national interest in the security and prosperity of Colombia, and we look forward to forging new links in science, education and research, while reinforcing the traditional friendship between our two peoples through increased tourism.

'Colombia is on the verge of a historic peace agreement and through our ongoing support for the country the UK is well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities that will follow. We will continue to support President Santos and the people of Colombia as they work to secure lasting peace.

'As we leave the EU, Britain remains a bold and outward-looking nation, and we are forging a new global role and taking advantage of economic and diplomatic opportunities in the wider world, beyond Europe.

'Colombia holds huge potential for British investors in areas ranging from health care to transport, defence and energy, and I hope that the state visit will help to open up these opportunities.'

Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd were all in attendance today

Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrive to take part in a ceremonial welcome for Colombia President Santos

Guardsmen prepare to take part in a ceremonial welcome for Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos and his wife Maria

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (centre right) is met by Lord-in-Waiting Viscount Hood (centre left) as he and his wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez (behind) arrive at London Stansted Airport in Essex yesterday ahead of his first UK state visit

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez leave in Queen Elizabeth II's official car with the President's Colombian Air Force plane on the tarmac after arriving at London Stansted Airport in Essex yesterday

Following his trip to London, President Santos will then travel to Belfast on Thursday to hear first-hand about Northern Ireland's experience of peace-building, and the benefits that peace and political progress has brought for community relations and efforts to build a stronger economy.  

The UK has strong ties with Colombia and a longstanding relationship built over more than 200 years. The two countries work closely on a range of issues, including trade and investment, security, defence, and climate change. Trade between Colombia and the UK was worth £1 billion last year, and continues to grow.

The UK also works closely with Colombia's law enforcement agencies to tackle the threat of drug trafficking and serious organised crime – issues that affect people in the UK too.

Colombia is emerging from the longest-running internal conflict in the Western hemisphere. The UK has played a central role in supporting Colombia's peace process. Peace will benefit not only Colombia and the surrounding region, but will create opportunities to further expand the bilateral relationship between Colombia and the UK.

President Santos recently received the Nobel Peace Prize, recognising his continued efforts to secure peace. 

He was hailed for his political courage for helping to broker the deal with left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels.

Although the accord was narrowly rejected by Colombians in a vote, the leader has extended a ceasefire with the country's largest rebel movement to allow more time for efforts to save the peace deal. 

British and Colombian national flags line The Mall in central London today ahead of President Santos' visit to meet the Queen

Flags of the UK and Colombia flying on the Mall, London, ahead of the state visit the Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos

Armed police took to The Maill today ahead of the President of Colombia's visit as security in the capital remained on high