Itinerary of Vladimir Putin's visit

Blair held talks with Putin in Russia in April

President Vladimir Putin has become the first Russian leader to make an official state visit to Britain for more than a century.

• He was greeted at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday by the Prince of Wales, before being driven to central London to meet the Queen and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

• The Queen and the Russian leader made a state carriage procession along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where Mr Putin and his wife, Ludmila, will stay during their three-day visit.

• Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Mr Putin attended a ceremony in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to mark the return of the Colour of the Russian Lifeguards Grenadier Regiment.

• Later on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Putin laid wreaths at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and the Soviet World War II Memorial in Southwark.

• The Russian leader met Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, followed by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

• In the evening, a state banquet will be held in honour of Mr and Mrs Putin at Buckingham Palace. The Queen will give an address of welcome, which will be followed by a speech by Mr Putin.

Wednesday:

• Mr and Mrs Putin are expected to go to Edinburgh with the Duke of York, where they are due to visit the castle, and witness a display of traditional Scottish music and dancing.

• Mr Putin will meet the First Minister for Scotland and give a speech to scientific, business, and artistic leaders.

• Later he and Mrs Putin are expected to return to London for a banquet in the Guildhall.

Thursday:

• Mr Putin is expected to join Prime Minister Tony Blair at the opening of a Russia-UK energy conference at Lancaster House.

• He and Mrs Putin are then scheduled to visit the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral before going to Number 10 Downing Street for lunch.

• Later, Mr Putin is due to visit a Russian naval ship and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich with the Duke of York.

• They will also visit the Statue of Peter the Great in Deptford.

• In the evening, Mr and Mrs Putin will give a return banquet for the Queen at Spencer House.

They are expected to depart on Friday.