King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium received an honour not accorded to a head of state since US president John F Kennedy in 1963, when they began their three-day State visit to Ireland yesterday.
The Belgian royals received an Air Corps fly-past shortly after they arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin to be welcomed by President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese.
The four aircraft flew over the Áras as Belgium's national anthem was played by the Army No. 1 Band. The king and queen received a full ceremonial welcome, including a 21-gun salute. The king (73) was dressed in a dark suit and pink tie and appeared relaxed as he greeted President McAleese.
The queen (70) wore an understated navy suit and coat with neat pearl earrings and necklace. They were accompanied by a large press corps from Belgium, including at least four television cameras.
The king inspected a guard of honour from the 28th infantry battalion from Finner Camp in Donegal and stood to attention as the 2nd field artillery regiment from McKee Barracks performed the 21-gun salute. The royal couple were greeted by a reception party which included Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Irish Ambassador to Belgium Brian Nason and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
They also met 24 children from St Ciarán's National School in Hartstown. The queen remarked to a blue-eyed Rachel Mulhall that most Irish people seemed to have blue eyes. She later visited the school while her husband called to Leinster House.
After a short private meeting with Mrs McAleese, the king planted an Irish oak tree in the grounds of the Áras.
His brother, King Baudouin, and Queen Fabiola of Belgium planted two trees on their State visit in 1968. That visit became controversial after protests by Maoist demonstrators at Trinity College over Belgium's role in the killing of Congo's Patrice Lumumba.
Today's itinerary includes a viewing of the GPO and the Spire in Dublin and a trip to Powerscourt House and Gardens in Co Wicklow.
Tomorrow the royal couple will visit Bunratty Castle and the Cliffs of Moher in Clare before departing from Shannon airport.
